From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta Correspondent)
A liquid substance suspected to be crude oil has been discovered gushing from the ground in the non-oil-producing community of Otuabula 2, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has taken samples for testing after visiting the area, a community source revealed.
An environmental scientist attached to NOSDRA Reference Laboratory at the site who pleaded anonymity noted that the crude oil was fresh, indicating that it may have erupted through a crack in the ground.
“When crude oil under the surface of the earth is overdue for exploration, it usually escapes from the ground through any crack that may have been caused by vibration. It usually comes out in thick bitumen form, so there is nothing strange about this discovery because it happens from time to time.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Oil and Gas, Chief Timi Seimiebo, who led NOSDRA officials to the site gave assurance that government would investigate the source of the crude oil and prevent it from polluting the environment.
According to him, “I am here with NOSDRA to take sample for testing, in order to get the signature of the crude. We are also trying to get the coordinate of the site to trace the OML the site falls under.
“However, our investigation revealed that there is no pipeline running through or bunkering activities taking place in and around the community. So for now, we would have to wait for the results to be out before we decide our next line of action.”
A source from the community, Augustine Okpukpu-Isi, said the crude oil was first discovered by a farmer somewhere in Iyapogo forest along the Ogbia Creek, who later alerted the leadership of the community.
Okpukpu-Isi said, “many exploration companies have come to look for crude oil in our community without any luck. So we were surprised when one of our brothers came to inform us that he saw crude oil bubbling out of the ground somewhere in our forest.
“At the beginning, it was bubbling out with force but now it has stopped. So we have appealled to the government to come and take a look at it and find out if it can be drilled for commercial purposes. But they should please not bring a company that would come and divide us.” He cautioned.
