A new oil spill has occurred in the Ogboinbiri community of Bayelsa State’s Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, near the Oando-operated flow station. The incident, which took place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, was reportedly due to equipment failure, specifically a rupture beneath the pipeline. While operators of the facility have yet to comment, the affected area lies deep within the swampy terrain of the local council area.
Environmental rights group, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), has raised alarm over the incident, identifying it as the fourth spill linked to equipment failure in less than a year. The group’s Deputy Director, Comrade Alagoa Morris, criticized the recurring spills and emphasized the need for regular maintenance and timely replacement of ageing infrastructure to prevent further environmental degradation. He urged oil companies to take proactive measures to avoid similar disasters.
Morris, who also serves as Technical Assistant on Environment to the Bayelsa State Governor, stressed the urgency of crude oil recovery, cleanup, and environmental remediation, particularly as the rainy season approaches. He warned that delayed action could worsen the environmental damage, further endangering the livelihoods and health of communities in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
