An oil spill from an 8-inch crude delivery pipeline within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 has contaminated several communities around the Santa Barbara River in Nembe, Bayelsa State.Residents reported that the spill, which occurred along a section of the pipeline, has spread rapidly through the waterways, polluting the surrounding environment and threatening aquatic life and livelihoods.
Local fishermen and farmers have expressed concern over the extent of the damage, urging authorities and the operating oil company to take swift action to contain the spill and commence cleanup efforts.Environmental groups have also called for an investigation into the cause of the incident and for adequate compensation to affected residents, stressing that repeated oil spills in the Niger Delta continue to endanger both human and ecological health.