Equipment failure responsible for Bodo oil spill, says JIV Report 

Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report on the oil spill from Trans Niger Pipeline facilities in Bodo in Gokana Council of Rivers State has revealed that the incident was caused by equipment failure.

According to the report by officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA); Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR); Shell Petroleum Development Company (SDPC), and Ministry of Environment, the multiple spills, which have caused severe environmental damage in the already polluted Ogoni environment, were traced to equipment failure.

Recall that between August 2 and August 30, 2022, three separate spills were reported in Bodo community, although Shell has maintained that there have been no activities on the TNP since June 2022 due to oil theft.

The fourth spill, which occurred at Patrick Waterfront, venue of the launch of Ogoni cleanup project in June 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, became noticeable on September 11, 2022.

Speaking shortly after the JIV report was presented at the weekend at a stakeholders meeting in the council, the Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, noted that there was a total breakdown of trust between the people and the  industry due to continuous environmental degradation and its impacts.

He said: “Mistakes were made in the past but the mistakes will  be corrected,  we are committed to do what we desire to do and do it rightly.”

While announcing that the MoU signed with the community would renew trust between them and the operators of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), he promised to fulfil all commitments made in the MOU towards improving the livelihood of the people of Bodo community.

The President-General of Ogoni Youth Federation, Legborsi Yamaabana, who represented Bodo community on the JIV report, commended the people of Bodo for their tenacity, resolve and togetherness, and noted that the report has not only vindicated them, but has lent credence to the call for Multinational Oil Companies (OICs) and their Joint Venture (JV) partners to replace their outdated pipes in Ogoniland/Niger Delta to forestall further spills.

Legborsi Yamaabana, however, noted that mappings to ascertain the volume of spilt crude and scope of impact had not been concluded.

Chairman of Gokana Council, Confidence Deko, said his administration would continue to protect the rights of the people.

He commended the peaceful disposition of Bodo community and assured them of the commitment of his administration.