OLUWOLE IGE reports on the plight of the people of Koluama communities in Bayelsa who were hit by a gas explosion recently.
For the inhabitants of Koluama 1 and 2 of Southern Ijaw local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the deafening explosion from K.S Endeavour rig gas well-head, belonging to Chevron Nigeria Ltd, in the early hours of Monday, January 16, created much panic and confusion.
The explosion, which resulted in a massive gas fire, threw the entire communities into pandemonium, as villagers, including children, ran out of their huts and mud houses to safer areas, where the effects of the incident could be less felt.
Reverberating impacts of the explosion shook the foundations of houses at Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Tamazo and Olobia, among other communities in Koluama clan.
Some technical staff of Chevron, including two expatriates, were working on the gas well-head when the leaking gas culminated in huge explosion, which resulted in the death of more than 10 persons.
Investigations conducted revealed that from the Koluama River, the huge flames could be sighted deep in the Atlantic Ocean, while the gas was still burning , emitting dangerous gases, intense heat and other toxic chemicals into the environment. The Koluama River directly empties into the ocean.
However, the major worry of the Koluama people is the lackadaisical attitude of the Chevron management to the plight of communities affected by the gas explosion. Since the incident occurred, no official of the multinational oil company had deemed it fit to visit the villagers to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or find out how the explosion affected the inhabitants, most of who are fishermen.
Apart from being exposed to various health hazards, the explosion had constituted serious threats to the economic as a result of the destruction suffered by aquatic or marine life. Majority of residents in the affected riverine communities thrive on fishing to eke out their living.
During a visit to the communities, different species of dead fish were spotted floating on the river surface, with some in the throes of death, struggling to stay alive amid the polluted water.
The ocean has been grossly polluted and the water current was carrying harmful gases and chemicals into the rivers and creeks of the communities within the coastal areas, where the explosion occurred.
More worrisome is the health implications of the incident, which are, no doubt, overwhelming. The gases released into the environment, such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, among others most of which are acidic have wide range of negative effects on the populace.
According to the chairman, Koluama Clan Council of Chiefs, Chief Andrew Apaingolo, “Cases of various ailments, including vomiting, stomach pains and difficulty in breathing have been reported. People have started to move out of the communities for fear of the unknown. We are extremely worried that no form of assistance had come our way, either from Chevron or government to alleviate our sufferings since this sad development took place.”
Worried by the increasing dangerous threat of the explosion and the burning flames from the gas to their well-being and means of livelihood, villagers of Koluama communities, last Saturday, staged a peaceful demonstration, on the streets of Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa, to decry the indifferent posture of Chevron to their plights.
Displaying placards, which denounced the effects of the explosion, the people demanded, among others, their prompt evacuation to a new settlement where they would not be exposed to the dangers of gas emission.
They also demanded the immediate visit of Chevron officials to their communities to assess the damage caused, using experts to ascertain the true impact and pollutants in the water, which is fast destroying aquatic life.
While charging the oil company to take urgent steps, with a view to containing the spread of the pollutant on the water, the Koluama people emphasised the crucial need to stop the raging flames and clean up their environment.
“Chevron and the government should send relief materials and medical teams to all communities affected by the pollution, so that those suffering from any form of disease can be promptly treated,” they stated.
While addressing the demonstrating indigenes of Koluama communities, the chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe chided the Federal Government and management of Chevron/Texaco Oil Company over insensitivity to the condition of the affected riverine dwellers.
“The Federal Government and management of Chevron claimed that the explosion occurred off-shore. This is a mark of indifference to the environmental hazards and other teething challenges facing the people of Koluama. It is quite unfair,” he stated.
“As of now, Chevron, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the government have not sent inspection team to our communities to evaluate the effects of the gas explosion on the affected inhabitants. If you asked Chevron the cause of the explosion, they could not provide answer,” Chief Orunimighe remarked.
But in a reaction posted on its website, Chevron Nigeria Ltd said it was finalising plans to commence drilling a relief well to control the Funiwa Deep 1A well, a natural gas exploration well in shallow water offshore Nigeria.
It admitted that the fire was still burning at the well site. “No rig structure can be seen above the water. Based on the condition of the well, the safest way to control it is to drill a relief well that will kill the well at depth,” the company maintained.
“Contrary to some erroneous media reports, at this time there is no oil spilled as a result of this incident. We reiterate that this is a natural gas well.
“With the gas flow, fine silt and mud on the seabed floor is disturbed and rises to the surface. Discolouration of the water is visible near the well site.
“Chevron is monitoring the well for impacts to the environment. We have hired local community residents as beach walkers to monitor the shoreline. No impacts to the beach have been reported. We are cooperating fully with all relevant Nigerian government authorities, while we also affirm our commitment to operational excellence, the safety of our personnel, security of assets and protection of the environment,” the oil multinational remarked.
For the inhabitants of Koluama 1 and 2 of Southern Ijaw local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the deafening explosion from K.S Endeavour rig gas well-head, belonging to Chevron Nigeria Ltd, in the early hours of Monday, January 16, created much panic and confusion.
The explosion, which resulted in a massive gas fire, threw the entire communities into pandemonium, as villagers, including children, ran out of their huts and mud houses to safer areas, where the effects of the incident could be less felt.
Reverberating impacts of the explosion shook the foundations of houses at Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Tamazo and Olobia, among other communities in Koluama clan.
Some technical staff of Chevron, including two expatriates, were working on the gas well-head when the leaking gas culminated in huge explosion, which resulted in the death of more than 10 persons.
Investigations conducted revealed that from the Koluama River, the huge flames could be sighted deep in the Atlantic Ocean, while the gas was still burning , emitting dangerous gases, intense heat and other toxic chemicals into the environment. The Koluama River directly empties into the ocean.
However, the major worry of the Koluama people is the lackadaisical attitude of the Chevron management to the plight of communities affected by the gas explosion. Since the incident occurred, no official of the multinational oil company had deemed it fit to visit the villagers to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or find out how the explosion affected the inhabitants, most of who are fishermen.
Apart from being exposed to various health hazards, the explosion had constituted serious threats to the economic as a result of the destruction suffered by aquatic or marine life. Majority of residents in the affected riverine communities thrive on fishing to eke out their living.
During a visit to the communities, different species of dead fish were spotted floating on the river surface, with some in the throes of death, struggling to stay alive amid the polluted water.
The ocean has been grossly polluted and the water current was carrying harmful gases and chemicals into the rivers and creeks of the communities within the coastal areas, where the explosion occurred.
More worrisome is the health implications of the incident, which are, no doubt, overwhelming. The gases released into the environment, such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, among others most of which are acidic have wide range of negative effects on the populace.
According to the chairman, Koluama Clan Council of Chiefs, Chief Andrew Apaingolo, “Cases of various ailments, including vomiting, stomach pains and difficulty in breathing have been reported. People have started to move out of the communities for fear of the unknown. We are extremely worried that no form of assistance had come our way, either from Chevron or government to alleviate our sufferings since this sad development took place.”
Worried by the increasing dangerous threat of the explosion and the burning flames from the gas to their well-being and means of livelihood, villagers of Koluama communities, last Saturday, staged a peaceful demonstration, on the streets of Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa, to decry the indifferent posture of Chevron to their plights.
Displaying placards, which denounced the effects of the explosion, the people demanded, among others, their prompt evacuation to a new settlement where they would not be exposed to the dangers of gas emission.
They also demanded the immediate visit of Chevron officials to their communities to assess the damage caused, using experts to ascertain the true impact and pollutants in the water, which is fast destroying aquatic life.
While charging the oil company to take urgent steps, with a view to containing the spread of the pollutant on the water, the Koluama people emphasised the crucial need to stop the raging flames and clean up their environment.
“Chevron and the government should send relief materials and medical teams to all communities affected by the pollution, so that those suffering from any form of disease can be promptly treated,” they stated.
While addressing the demonstrating indigenes of Koluama communities, the chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe chided the Federal Government and management of Chevron/Texaco Oil Company over insensitivity to the condition of the affected riverine dwellers.
“The Federal Government and management of Chevron claimed that the explosion occurred off-shore. This is a mark of indifference to the environmental hazards and other teething challenges facing the people of Koluama. It is quite unfair,” he stated.
“As of now, Chevron, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the government have not sent inspection team to our communities to evaluate the effects of the gas explosion on the affected inhabitants. If you asked Chevron the cause of the explosion, they could not provide answer,” Chief Orunimighe remarked.
But in a reaction posted on its website, Chevron Nigeria Ltd said it was finalising plans to commence drilling a relief well to control the Funiwa Deep 1A well, a natural gas exploration well in shallow water offshore Nigeria.
It admitted that the fire was still burning at the well site. “No rig structure can be seen above the water. Based on the condition of the well, the safest way to control it is to drill a relief well that will kill the well at depth,” the company maintained.
“Contrary to some erroneous media reports, at this time there is no oil spilled as a result of this incident. We reiterate that this is a natural gas well.
“With the gas flow, fine silt and mud on the seabed floor is disturbed and rises to the surface. Discolouration of the water is visible near the well site.
“Chevron is monitoring the well for impacts to the environment. We have hired local community residents as beach walkers to monitor the shoreline. No impacts to the beach have been reported. We are cooperating fully with all relevant Nigerian government authorities, while we also affirm our commitment to operational excellence, the safety of our personnel, security of assets and protection of the environment,” the oil multinational remarked.
na so gas danger ?
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