Accolade for Shell, as it relocates unsafe pipeline in Bayelsa creek

IMIRINGI — AFTER months of agitation, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has repositioned its Kolo Creek-Soku gas pipeline across Kolo Creek in Bayelsa State from the water surface to the bed of the creek so as not to cause danger fishermen and transporters in the host communities.

A visit to the Kolo Creek Oilfield operated by the oil giant showed that the gas pipeline was no longer on the water surface across the creek. Heavy duty equipment and oil workers were seen refilling dug out sand from the creek. The company had last October laid the gas pipeline above the surface of Kolo Creek, which serves Imiringi, the host community and its sister communities in the Kolo Creek clusters, thereby hampering navigation by fishing canoes, transport boats amongst others in the channel.

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Interest of residents 

The laying of the pipeline across the creek had sparked resistance amongst environmentalists and residents affected by the blockade, which compelled the oil company to remove the pipeline from the water surface and buried it underground.

Welcome development: Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, had in its advocacy urged the oil company to bury the pipeline to protect the economic interest of residents, who use the creek as transport channel and for fishing activities.

Renowned environmentalist and Head, Field Operations, ERA/FoEN’s office in Bayelsa, Alagoa Morris, while reacting to the development, said it was a welcome development and lauded SPDC for taking steps to correct the anomaly. “It is a positive outcome of our advocacy efforts and we commend SPDC for taking steps to come back to bury the pipeline under the bed of the creek.

“It shows that we are partners to ensure that the oil industry is run in a sustainable manner. We always demand justice and fair play and preach the principle of live and let live. With the pipeline underneath the Kolo Creek, fishermen and community people who use the creek will operate, while Shell carries on its business as well.

” Also speaking, Mr Dressman Tetemaziba noted that the relocation of the pipeline had resolved the contention between the oil firm and its host communities and hoped for harmonious relationship.

Pleasant surprise: Environmental scientist and development worker at Connected Development (CODE), Ms Benita Siloko, said she was disturbed by the adverse impact of crossing the pipeline on water surface when she noticed the pipeline in December 2016 during the Christmas holidays. “I had observed the pipeline across the water surface and opted to take photographs because it looked abnormal for a channel where boats and canoes pass, I am pleasantly surprised that they have rectified the problem.

“Oil firms must understand that the welfare and economic interest of oil- bearing communities count while executing their projects.”

Source: vanguard