In Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, an oil spill has left some 300 fishermen stranded and destroyed farms. Residents claimed that the spill came from a manifold run by Shell Petroleum Development Company and severely polluted the Okuru River, which runs through the Eleme LGA towns of Aleto, Akpajo, Agbonchia, and Ogale.
They bemoaned that about 300 registered fishermen in the area rely heavily on the river for their livelihood. They claimed that since last Sunday, when the leak was initially discovered, there has been no attempt to stop it from running into the river. They said because of the foul odour, some locals have left their towns. The fishermen were indignant that their means of support had been destroyed and claimed that they were now unable to provide for their families.
One of the fishermen, called Wuwu, said, “On Monday I came to check my net, but I saw that the river was ‘black’ and spoiled. I couldn’t even find my net.
“There were no fish because the water is polluted. I don’t know where to start because this is the only thing I have been doing to take care of my family.
“If there is anything the company can do to help us, let it be done immediately. But they should clean this place first.”
Obari-Ollormate Ollor, the chairman of the Eleme LGA, inspected the spill site and stated that initial observations indicated that equipment failure was the source of the accident. Ollor said the populace would wait for Shell to visit the plant so that the Eleme people would not be charged with sabotage, even as he urged restraint from the youths. Ollor also accused Shell of being insensitive since the incident occurred.
“We have discussed this on the telephone with the people who are managers of their pipeline at Shell. They are not here yet. However, when they come for this visit, it is determined by them. We will look at it together and agree on a document that says this is what has happened here. Our people are aggrieved as I speak to you.
“The youths are angry. Those who would have had cones for fishing today are all stranded. They don’t have anything to do; you can see they are all hanging around because fishing is what they do to survive.”
When contacted, Michael Adande, a spokesman for SPDC, stated that the reason of the spill has not yet been determined.
