The community Owerewere hosts Shells two major oil trunk lines that traverse the community lands. Before the current spill, Owerewere experienced oil spills in the 1980s. The impacted community, is in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers and is one of the largest settlements in the area. Fishing, farming and some hunting activities are the main occupation of the people.
The spilt crude, otherwise known as black gold, was noticed in two ditches: the points of rupture, some familiar materials such as funnels, 20 litre jerry cans and a yellow tape/thread used to mark out the spill point (caution sign).
The spill point still bubbled, a sign that the spot had not been clamped. A small heap of mud was also noticed, used to prevent the continued spread of the crude from the point of spill. And because everyone was really surprised at the materials found in the environment, the youths became agitated and alert. Seeing some person along the pipeline towards Okporowo, some in yellow coverall, the youths of Owerewere decided to give them a chase, because they felt those person were doing something at the spill site and only ran when they spotted the real owners of the land.
This follow up resulted into the seizure of four giant Geepee tanks used by some Okporowo persons to transfer the crude oil from the spill point without the knowledge of the people of community.
For the Head of ERA field monitor, Morris Alagoa, there is a likely outbreak of an epidemic in the community if the authorities fail to act 'very fast.' According to him, 'we are disturbed because the local people are exposing themselves to the chemicals and even using some of the dead fish as part of their meals.' The community which is easily accessed by road from Ahoada has as neighbours: Okporowo (an Ekpeye community in Ahoada West Local Government Area) and Ojosi (also in Ahoada West); and Eminigboko from Abua/Odual local government area.
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