A pipeline leak within the Kolo creek oil field operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa is currently discharging crude into the environment, residents say.

Anthony Okpu, who resides in Imiringi community in Bayelsa, said that the spill was noticed this morning.

According to him, the oil leaking from a crude trunk line connecting the Kolo creek fields to SPDC’s pipeline network had flown into the communities and devastated farmlands and vegetation in the area.

“We do not know exactly when the oil leak started but this morning we saw crude leaking from the pipeline into the road and when we got there soldiers had already cordoned off the whole area,” Mr. Okpu said, adding:

“They do not allow us to get near to find out the possible cause of the leak on the pipeline. We woke up this early morning to see this in our community. I believe that the soldiers must have reported the incident so that they can shut down the pipeline crude feed to forestall further damage to the environment, but oil is still gushing out of the line.”

When contacted, Lt.-Col. Ado Isa, Media Coordinator of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta saddled with the responsibility of protecting oil installations, said that he was yet to get reports on the incident.

On his part, SPDC Spokesperson, Mr. Joseph Obari, said the company would react to the development in due course.