By Abbas Nazil
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) is actively responding to a crude oil spill from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline at Obololi community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
The spill, reported on Monday, February 17, 2025, has raised environmental concerns, prompting an urgent investigation and containment efforts.
Following the initial report, NOSDRA, as the lead agency in oil spill management in Nigeria, swiftly organized a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The investigative team included SPDC representatives, officials from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, and members of the affected community.
The primary objective was to determine the cause of the spill, assess the extent of damage, and implement necessary regulatory measures.
Preliminary findings from the investigation have been inconclusive due to the suspected leak point being submerged in water.
This has made it difficult to ascertain the exact cause of the spill at this stage.
To address this, SPDC is in the process of constructing a coffer dam, a temporary structure that will allow investigators to gain access to the submerged pipeline and conduct a more thorough assessment.
Despite the challenge of identifying the source, response efforts are progressing.
Containment measures have been successfully completed to prevent further spread of the spilled crude oil.
Additionally, temporary storage tanks are currently being transported to the spill site to facilitate oil recovery operations.
NOSDRA confirmed that the recovery of free-phase oil is scheduled to commence on Friday, February 21, 2025, as part of ongoing remediation efforts.
The agency has assured the public that it is closely monitoring the response operations to ensure compliance with environmental safety standards.
NOSDRA remains committed to overseeing the implementation of appropriate response measures to mitigate the impact of the spill on the affected community and surrounding ecosystems.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as investigations progress.
The agency emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to effectively manage the situation and prevent future occurrences.
