Okolobiri community of Gbarain kingdom in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State has cried out over the 24-hour non-stop gas flaring in nearby Gbarain-Ubie Integrated oil and gas processing plant.
The community says the continuous flaring has begun to affect the health of the people and is also polluting its land and water.
Paramount Ruler of the community, Judah Sukuruowei, who spoke to journalists accompanied by advocacy groups, said the community is in a constant state of shock due to the vibrations coming from the gas flaring plant.
He said, “We have been experiencing serious vibration because of the gas flare in the neighbouring Obunagha community. The flaring volume is too high, it is affecting buildings in the community.
“Our people rely on our river water but now we don’t have water to drink because it is polluted by gas. There is no public portable water. Our health is being affected; as we are inhaling the noxious gases.”;
The women leader, Tuaweri Keniwenimo, lamented that the volume of gas flaring has affected soil quality, crops and farming activities, resulting in hardship for women and children in the community.
She said, “I am a mother so when it comes to matters like this I will talk a lot; because it is affecting our children seriously, including our crops and farming activities. Most women in the community built houses to support our husbands through farming.
“Due to the gas flaring crops are not as productive as they used to be. It is the same thing with fishing; fishing efforts are not yielding much again. Even the little catch, we discover they are tasteless.”;
Following the community’s outcry, the Environmental Defenders Network, EDEN, faulted the relevant monitoring agencies including the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency, NOSDRA, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, who it claimed failed to monitor the companies responsible for the flaring.
The Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Wiliams, warned that an open gas flaring plant should not be allowed around residential areas, tasking the Federal Ministry of Environment to address the situation immediately.
”;Relevant agencies of the Bayelsa state government, especially the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources; should step in on behalf of affected communities to ensure the concerns are addressed as soon as possible.
”;Impacted communities, especially Okolobiri, should continue to observe keenly and if possible document dates and times of incidents; including photo and video evidence.
”;Impacted communities should also officially report in writing to relevant agencies of government; at Local, State and Federal governments, about their plights,”; he said.
Okolobiri community is host to the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital and has Ogboloma and Obunagha communities as two of its closest neighbours.
