More than 20 communi
ties in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State are counting their loses following a major spill from Seibou Deep facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which has polluted their environments.
The affected facility has been discharging crude into Ogboinbiri River, and the water current is fast spreading it to several communities leaving along the river bank.
Among the communities so far affected are Ogboinbiri, Keme-Ebiama, Apoi, Kokologbene, Gbaruan, Ukubie, and.Lobia while residents of the areas claimed that the oil spill had affected their fishing activities.
Some of them who depend on the river for domestic use say that the leakage had continued unabated for over a month, compelling them to resort to sachet water.
Journalists who visited the area observed that the surface of the river  had  changed colour as it was covered by crude deposits flowing down the waterways.
Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Keme-Ebiama community  said that the spill had deprived them of their source of water for drinking and domestic use.
“This major spill started a long time ago like a small leak but has turned a serious issue by February 15 at the Seibou 2 facility of Shell at Ogboinbiri.
“The spill first affected rivers in the Ogboinbiri axis before spreading to other communities; the volume of crude oil was really heavy. It covered the whole of our river.
“It was so devastating that our people could no longer go to the river and take their bath or fetch drinking water.
“Due to the heavy pollution and resultant scarcity of drinking water, the cost of water sachet in the community rose from N10.00 to N30.00.
“Most of our people cannot afford the sachet water at that price.
“We are very much worried of what the situation might lead to considering the recent outbreak of cholera in some communities in the local government area,” John-Bull said.
The community leader therefore urged the management of SPDC to take responsibility for the incident and dispatch relief materials and medical team to forestall outbreak of epidemic in the area.

He also urged the oil firm to compensate communities and individuals impacted by the oil leak for the losses they incurred as a result of the incident.

Mr Iniruo Wills, Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment, confirmed the development when contacted and said plans were underway to respond to the challenges faced by the coastal communities.