The Trans Niger Pipeline spill in Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, has been confirmed by oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.
However, the oil company reported that the spill caused by a pipeline breach has been controlled and repairs have been finished.
Recall how some Rumuoduwere community members in Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, protested over the oil leak earlier this week, claiming that it had devastated their farmlands and subterranean water supplies.
Speaking with reporters after he toured them around the spill site, local opinion leader Martin Enwuka claimed that some inhabitants had left the town as a result of the event and urged Shell to act quickly to enable those who had left to return.
However, the SPDC said in a statement released on Wednesday by Gladys Afam-Anadu, its Media Relations Manager, that production into the line was promptly stopped as a precautionary step to clear the way for repairs.
Afam-Anadu added that as soon as the issue was reported, the company’s oil spill response team was sent to the location to conduct an inspection.
She revealed that the repairs came about as a result of a Joint Investigation Visit, clarifying that the faulty line is now operational even though the oil company has pledged to keep up talks with the community to resolve any fallout.
The statement reads, “The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) received a report on August 21st of a leak on the 28-inch Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) at the Elelenwo manifold in Rivers State.
“As a precautionary measure, production into the line was immediately halted, and our Oil Spill Response team was dispatched to the site for inspection, containment, and recovery operations.
“A Joint Investigation Visit has been conducted. The repair of the line has been successfully completed and the line is back in operation. We expect to conclude our discussions with the community in the coming weeks regarding the impact that this spill has caused.”
