Bayelsa Community Cries Out Over 24-Hour Gas Flaring
The Okolobiri community in Bayelsa State’s Yenagoa Local Government Area has expressed deep concern over the continuous 24-hour gas flaring from the nearby Gbarain-Ubie Integrated oil and gas processing plant.
The community alleged that the plant, currently operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company, has been emitting hazardous pollutants, affecting the health and livelihoods of community residents.
According to Engr. Judah Sukuruowei, Paramount Ruler of the community, the community is in a constant state of shock due to the vibrations coming from the gas flaring plant, which has resulted in serious health issues, including respiratory problems, and even death.
The community observed an increase in illnesses, with children frequently falling sick, and the rate of death has increased in the environment, with even very young children dying unexpected deaths.
He noted that the gas flaring has also polluted the community’s water sources, making them undrinkable, and the vibrations from the flaring plant have caused cracks in buildings, while the noise and bright lights have become a constant disturbance.
Bright Shadrack Esyine, a male indigene, noted that the vegetation near the flare site appears burnt, and the soil quality has deteriorated, affecting farming activities.
The gas flaring has significantly impacted the community’s livelihoods, particularly in farming and fishing. Tuaweri Keniwenimo, Women Leader of the community, lamented that crops are no longer productive, and fishing efforts are yielding less. “We suffer a lot, children getting sick frequently; including mothers and people dying anyhow,” she said.
The community’s Women Leader also pointed out that the gas flaring has affected the soil quality, crops, and farming activities, resulting in hardship for the women and children in the community.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has demanded that the Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies take immediate action to address the issue.
EDEN’s Executive Director, Chima Williams, faulted the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for failing to monitor and regulate gas flaring activities.
According to Williams, in a sane and working country, open gas flaring should not be allowed around residential areas.
EDEN is calling on the Federal Ministry of Environment, through NESREA, to take up this matter as a matter of urgent importance with a view to addressing this lingering issue.
The organization is also urging the relevant agencies of the Bayelsa State Government, especially the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Mineral Resources, to step in on behalf of affected communities to ensure the concerns are addressed as soon as possible.
Additionally, EDEN is encouraging impacted communities to continue to observe keenly and document dates and times of incidents, including photo and video evidence, and to officially report in writing to relevant agencies of government at Local, State, and Federal governments about their plights.
Social and environmental justice advocacy groups, the media, and legal practitioners are also being encouraged to look at areas they can come in to assist these communities achieve environmental justice, taken into consideration Article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right.
Bayelsa Community Cries Out Over 24-Hour Gas Flaring is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
