The people of Ekreokpe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the state government and management of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to clean up the waters which have become polluted by an ongoing oil spill allegedly from the company’s pipeline in near community.
The cause of the oil spill, which is yet to be ascertained has caused serious environmental pollution, including destroying aquatic life in the community.
The people of Ekreokpe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area woke up on Friday morning to notice environmental pollution along the river bank, which has further spread across the river, killing the fish in it.
According to a former President General of Ekreokpe community, Mr Okoloko Patrick, they noticed that the oil spill was coming from the direction of Ovwiamughe community in Agbarho which is host to the OML 30 pipeline.
He further disclosed that there is no leakage from the oil pipeline in Ekreokpe community and appealed to Delta State Government, management of NPDC and the pipeline security surveillance team to check the cause of the oil spill and carry out cleanup of the waterways.
Some residents who also spoke in an interview noted that the oil spill has not only affected aquatic lives but, also negatively impacting gradually on their farmlands.
It is expected that relevant authorities will intervene in the ongoing oil spill with a view to tackling the environmental pollution faced by the people of Ekreokpe community to save lives in the long run.