The joint investigation into an oil spill at Azuzuama Community, Bayelsa State, has triggered disagreement among Oando, regulators, and community representatives.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the spill occurred on 25 June along Oando’s six-inch Azuzuama-Tebidaba flow line in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
According to a field report by the Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD), the spill, which discharged large volumes of crude into the community, was caused by “induced corrosion” linked to sabotage.
Reuben Enai, the director of petroleum and pollution at the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, who also participated in the joint investigation, reported that the rupture resulted from induced corrosion.
Mr Enai stated that visual examination of the crude delivery pipeline showed marks that suggested deliberate use of acid to cause corrosion at the top section of the pipe.
