The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has decried the leaking well-head belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, at Bukuma in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement on Sunday by the Director General of NOSDRA, Chukwuemeka Woke, during a facility tour to evaluate the extent of the leakage, the agency called for immediate repair of the leaking well-head to forestall further disasters.
It could be recalled that a spill which was reported on January 1, 2025, involved a gas leak from the OML Well 8, operated by NNPCL.
Local security sources told newsmen that the spill was likely instigated by the actions of suspected pipeline vandals who attempted to illegally tap into the well-head.
Residents of Bukuma had raised an alarm over the gas leak, and the resultant inferno that had affected their environment.
The DG, during his visit, noted that the agency was working with relevant stakeholders and the operator to extinguish the fire caused by the leakage and mitigate its effects on the community, disclosing plans to provide relief materials to the community.
He therefore called for the implementation of continuous surveillance of operational areas by the NNPCL to prevent future occurrence.
He said, βOn January 12, NOSDRA received reports of a fire outbreak at the well-head, which was attributed to excessive gas release.
βWe are actively coordinating with relevant stakeholders and the operator to extinguish the fire and mitigate its effects on the community.β
Woke said that NOSDRA would thoroughly analyse the data collected during the tour and collaborate with stakeholders to bring the situation under control.
He reiterated the commitment of the agency towards ensuring that the welfare of the affected communities was promoted.
