Connect with us

FEATURED

Air Pollution Crisis Looms In Bayelsa, School Shut Over Shell’s Gas Emissions – ERA/FoEN Urges FG To Compel Shell To Halt Flaring

Published

on

The site of the flare, accomplished with water spray





A crisis of air pollution is currently facing the people of Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State over Shell reignited gas flares in the area.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the flare from Shell facility has been furiously blasting away in the area for weeks.

The development is said to be causing serious heat and air pollution in the area even as the only school in the area had been forced to shut down.

Confirming the development, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), called on the Federal Government to compel Shell to stop the flares in Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Advertisement

The call came in the wake of a visit to the community by a team from the Yenagoa office ERA/FoEN led by Program Manager and Head of the Niger Delta Resource Center in Bayelsa, Comrade Alagoa Morris, on the 1st March, 2024.

The visit came after a distress call by members of the community who feared for their lives and their environment, due to the flares.

Gbarantoru in Ekpetiama kingdom of Yenagoa local government area is a relatively large community and densely populated.

Advertisement

During the visi, ERA/FoEN monitors say they observed the gas flare from Shell facility furiously blasting away.

“Not only was the horizontally flared gas so huge and menacingly noisy, the threat to buildings in the community was obvious as they continue to vibrate rhythmically.

“A school within the vicinity was forced to shut as a direct result of the impact of the flares”.

Advertisement

According to ERA/FoEN, it was observed that very high pressure liquid suspected to be water was being sprayed into the air in the direction of the huge Flare.

“The sprayed water might be technically viewed as reducing heat produced by the flame or have some chemical reaction with the noxious gases so released. This is left for experts to properly explain”.

In an interview with some of the community members, an Indigene of Gbarantoru and former Councilor in Yenagoa LGA, Seiyefa Saiyou Jones, expressed his regret at the attitude of disdain and lack of concern for the people displayed by Shell.

Advertisement

He stated that the community has become unbearable to live as the peace, health and safety of the people are under threat due to the vicious gas flaring by Shell.

“In the night there is no way to sleep. Due to the noise from the raging gas flare the children cannot sleep in the room anymore. The entire building is vibrating. I am directly affected.

“Besides the light [from the flare], the vibration of the house is so alarming. This is about the fourth day since they put on the gas flare. It is so alarming in the night, I can’t sleep; my children can’t sleep. We all remain vigilant, awake all through the night….

Advertisement

“This is happening in the heart of the community. They are supposed to relocate those to be affected and compensate them. You can hear the noise. This is even more than the sound of aero plane landing at the airport. Due to this gas flare, the primary school was forced to go on vacation. How can they learn under this atmosphere?”, he said.

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada 1V likened the ongoing gas flaring in the community to pumping in toxic and harmful gas into the body system of the people.

According to him, the people of the community may die from the harmful substances that have been released into the air.

Advertisement

Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams said that Shell’s action prompting victims to cry out is nothing but Eco-Terrorism, as the vegetation, lives and property of victims are under attack by this horizontal emission of noxious gases.

Williams added that the flares negate the principle behind Article 24 of African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right.

He frowned at the Nigerian government for turning a blind eye to the obvious abuse of the rights of the locals to a safe environment to thrive at a time when countries and leaders are initiating better policies to safeguard the health and safety of the environment.

Advertisement

Williams called on the Federal Ministries of Petroleum and Environment to prevail on Shell to Stop the ongoing Eco-Terrorism by Shell in Gbarantoru.

He also urged the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment to bridge the gap with formal complaint to the Federal Authorities concerning the unacceptable.

Advertisement

COVID-19 STATS

Advertisement
COMMUNITY REPORT6 hours ago

Delta Suspends Clan Chiefs, Inaugurates Commission Of Inquiry Over Ogwashi-Uku Crises

ENTERTAINMENT11 hours ago

BBNaija Season 9: Kellyrae, ‘Sapele Boy’s Victory Inspires Nigerian Youths, Says Senator Dafinone

FEATURED13 hours ago

JUST IN: Tinubu Condemns Post-Election Violence In Rivers, Directs IGP To Maintain Law And Order Around All LGAs

FEATURED19 hours ago

BREAKING: Youths Unleash Chaos On Rivers LGA Councils, Eleme Secretariat Torched, Emuoha Hit By Dynamites

COMMUNITY REPORT21 hours ago

Newly Installed Asagba Of Asaba Receives Advance Delegation From Senator Nwoko

FEATURED1 day ago

Rivers LG Elections: Gov Fubara Declares Controversy Over, Warns Of Potential Violence Against Newly Sworn-in LGA Chairmen

Dangote Refinery
FEATURED1 day ago

NNPCL Set To Review Petrol Prices Amid Changing Market Dynamics From Dangote Refinery Supply

FEATURED1 day ago

Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Quest: Why Eguavoen Picked Ekong, Iwobi, Awoniyi, Dropped Osimhen

COMMUNITY REPORT1 day ago

Idjerhe Kingdom Hails King Whiskey’s 4 Years Of Peace, Progress, To Mark Coronation Anniversary In Nov

FEATURED2 days ago

‘I Took Offer To Import Hard Drug To Nigeria To Pay For My Ongoing Master’s Degree’ – Canadian Woman Arrested By NDLEA At MMIA, Lagos Opens Up

FEATURED2 days ago

UPDATED: Governor Fubara To Swear-in Newly Elected Rivers Council Chairmen Today

FEATURED2 days ago

How We Created Artificial Hold-up To Bust And Kill Three Kidnappers Who Attempted To Abduct Delta Assembly Member’s Wife In Gun Battle – Police

Advertisement