Odioama, a Nembe-speaking Ijaw community, is at the fringe of the Atlantic ocean in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. That is where the latest oil spill allegedly took place at a facility belonging to the Anglo-Dutch oil and gas supermajor, Shell. The crude oil spill spread to the community environment. The slick was sighted close to the coastline of Odioama and along St. Nicholas. This reporter, in company of environmental field monitors from the Environmental Rights Action (ERA), a foremost environmental rights advocacy group in the country, spoke to some fishing folks about the spill on Wednesday, before being led into the ocean and back, in a wooden, but engine propelled boats. Akanimo Sampson writes.
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We saw a fisherman just returning with his little son from the Atlantic Ocean, back to Fish Camp 2 within the Odioama environment; opposite the Varnish Island. After a brief with him, we were led to the home of the person who had been monitoring the situation, as a contact.two indigenes of Odioama who accompanied us during this trip as volunteers were: Elder James Sampson? A.K.A.Ovie Kokori and Danyo Ogoniba. These are excerpts of what they told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND:
Lucky Tema: I have been in this fishing camp in Odioama for about twelve years now. I am an Ilaje man and fishing is my main occupation; that’s what I do here. As you can see I am just returning from the ocean. If you go into the ocean you will find the thick slick of crude oil floating, being tossed here and there by the waves. It is spreading according to the direction of the current.
That is what we are seeing even right here at the waterside, on St. Nicholas. As a fisherman, one of the things I know about this crude oil is that, apart from killing aquatic lives, it chases away the fish that used to be around. Again, if our nets get in contact with the crude oil it will stain the nets and, because of the smell and colour, fishes will notice and avoid such fish nets in the water. Even though the days are not the same, you can see the little catch that I returned with. This is not how it used to be. Our efforts are yielding far below expectation these days.”
Ayeomane Ayela: I am 51 years old and I am an Ilaje man from Ondo State. I have lived in this community, particularly the Fish camp 2 for a very long time, even before the creation of Bayelsa State. I came here in the 1980s and even the children I had here are now adults. Actually we started noticing this crude oil on the Atlantic about a week or so ago. But it came ashore about two days ago.
Oil spills affect our fishing and this one is not an exception. We used to catch enough fish before but it is difficult now. I go into the ocean almost every day and, since we began to experience this new spill we felt very unhappy. If you had come when we had a full tide, you would have noticed the crude oil slick all around the waterside. Now the water has ebbed, but you can still see signs of crude oil at the water front. We are not happy because it takes extra effort to avoid the slick from contaminating our fishing nets.
Once your net has stains of crude oil, fish will run away from the net because they will see it. As you can see we are powerless; we cannot order the government on what to do. But I think a responsible government should be able to appreciate our plight and assist us. Surely, we need assistance. Because of this kind of scenario we are becoming debtors as we can hardly even meet up payment of the fuel we use for our boats. The efforts, energy and resources put into the fishing business these days have not been meeting our expectations. This is the crux. In the light of the above, we would like the oil company responsible to clean up the spill and compensate us for loss of livelihood.
Our business has been impacted. Bonga fish that used to come to the surface for us to see and catch easily are no more. The company should not deny us of our Bonga with their Bonga. If you are ready, I will lead you into the ocean and, depending on the current and direction of the slick, we may see some crude oil. But, if you can wait until the full tide returns, then you need not go into the ocean because you will see much of it right here. It goes and returns with the tide.”
We wanted to speak with some community chiefs, but the chiefs were said to be in a meeting. Due to time factor, the mission to verify the spread of the spill continued to Fish Camp 2, behind the community and by the entrance of St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas joins the Atlantic Ocean from this point. However, even before going to Fish Camp 2, the surface of the river showed signs of the slick sheen everywhere.
Apart from going into the ocean and witnessing the slick spreading, much crude oil slick was noticed coming into St. Nicholas from the Atlantic Ocean. Ayeomane Ayela personally led the way to the ocean and back to shore. Apparently shaken, ERA’s Field Monitor, Mr. Moris Alagoa, told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that his organisation wanted the government to do a number of things in response to the spill.
Top on the list is the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the spill especially as it relates to quantity and spread. Shell should accept responsibility and carry out remediation measures and proper clean up. Shell should be made to pay adequate compensation to victims for general damage and loss of livelihood.
It also called on the international community, especially environmental and Rights related groups to join in this just cause to defend the environment and livelihood of the people.