Six Nembe communities in Bayelsa State have been taken over by crude oil, and the people are in dire need of medical and relief supplies.
This followed an explosion that resulted in an oil spill in their area on Friday.
The Nembe communities said to be affected include Nembe Creek 1, 2 and 3, Jalungo, Fatuo, and Kalablomi.
The residents claimed that officials of Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company are yet to respond to the situation.
Spokesman of the Nembe Chiefs Council, Nengi James-Eriworio, said there was “massive destruction of the area with air and water heavily polluted”.
“People have deserted the area and the company has refused to respond despite series of emergency calls.
“We are concerned about the poor attitude of the company towards the host communities in Nembe. They have abused the rights of the people,” he said.
The explosion was reported at the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, operated by the Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, which caused panic among the indigenes of some communities in Nembe Local Government area of the state.
The blast ignited huge fire from the pipeline, near Oil Well 7, and sent the residents fleeing the affected communities for fear, with many reported to be missing as a result.
It was gathered that before the incident, the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, NCTL, had been shut for emergency repairs following the detection of oil leakage.
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