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Oil spill incidents and pipeline
vandalization in Nigeria
Impact on public health and negation to
attainment of Millennium development goal:
the Ishiagu example
K.N. Aroh, I.U. Ubong, C.L. Eze, I.M. Harry, J.C. Umo-Otong and
A.E. Gobo
(Information about the authors can be found at the end of the article.)
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria
between 1970 and 2006 and to examine the potential danger posed by such activities to public health.
Design/methodology/approach – The approach adopted to achieve this objective is questionnaire
administration on health impacts. Also secondary sources of information come from textbooks and
journals. However, data from natural resources exploitation and hazards are collated and analyzed.
Findings – It is evident that, out of the 1,000 reported oil spill incidents analyzed, some hundreds of
thousands of barrels of oil are lost to the environment. Graphic pictures of typical oil spill through acts
of vandalism in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria are analyzed and reviewed. The run-off and
sedimentation of this pollutant in fresh water systems severely degrade water quality, affect fish
spawning and aquatic invertebrates’ habitats, thus lowering food web productivity. Incidentally the
spill-over effect on humans who directly depend on fish and other aquatic food as an alternative
protein supplement is quite inundating. The effects on humans include irritation, dermatitis, cancer,
occurrence of abortion, organ failure and genetic disorder.
Research limitations/implications – The limitations encountered in this research work include
logistics problems, poor response and uncooperative attitude from respondents, transportation
difficulties and restricted access to impacted sites by law enforcement agents and funding. Therefore
subsequent researchers in this area should be equipped adequately with both the necessary protective
gadgets and increased funding to meet challenges of this nature.
Practical implications – The practical implication of the study is that oil spill incidents should be
documented and reported early enough for prompt attention by the regulatory agencies in order to
protect and enhance the quality of the environment.
Originality/value – The value of the paper is that oil spill and pipeline vandalization devastate the
environment, pollute dependable potable water sources such as streams and rivers and should be seen
as a serious threat and negation to the attainment of the United Nations Millennium development
goals.
Keywords Pipelines, Vandalism, Personal health
Paper type Research paper
1. Background
Oil undoubtedly is one of the influential commodities in the world market today. It is
also a highly priced product of the extractive industry. Unfortunately, the process
involved in its exploration, extraction and transportation most often impinge on the
environment. Cases of oil spillage considered damaging to the environment has been
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0965-3562.htm
DPM
19,1
70
Disaster Prevention and Management
Vol. 19 No. 1, 2010
pp. 70-87
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0965-3562
DOI 10.1108/09653561011022153
recorded in local communities of the oil bearing Niger Delta and other areas remotely
distant from the region.
Oil spill can occur through mechanical failure, operational error natural hazard,
corrosion of pipelines, third party activity and sabotage (Ntukekpo, 1996; Brain, 1996;
Nwilo et al., 2000; David-West, 2001; Isirimah et al., 2006). Oil spill through acts of
sabotage or pipeline vandalism by idle youth in Nigeria has peaked up in the last few
decades. Poor implementation of memorandum of understanding (M.O.U) between oil
companies and host communities, lack of employment and environmental degradation
has been blamed for this trend (Uwhejevwe-Togbolo, 2005).Apart from the loss of lives
and property through pipeline fire, the run off from impacted sites usually degrade the
quality of our fresh water sources which serves the domestic rural water supply needs
of most communities in Nigeria.
Uchegbu (1998) observed that oil pollution is one problem for which no effective and
final solution has been found anywhere in the world inspite of efforts to control it. It is
indeed extremely difficult to separate oil spill incidents from oil exploration and
exploitation. Okafor (1985) reported that whenever there is incident of oil spillage, it
usually cause serious economic problem, contaminate drinking water and cause
general discomfort and disruption of normal life.
Ishiagu is not an oil-bearing community but shares an unusual experience as one
occasioned by oil pipeline vandalization by youths in the area. Besides its strategic
location in the solid mineral map of Nigeria, particularly Lead/Zinc ore in the South,
Ishiagu is also an important transit route for the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corperation (NNPC) oil pipeline facility for domestic markets. The spate of oil pipeline
vandalism in the area has reached an unprecedented high that if no urgent measures
are taken by the relevant government agencies now, the frequent pipeline cuts that
continue to spill for weeks in the event of sabotage has the capacity of transforming
most of the aquatic species of the fresh water system in the area into a perpetual
pollution machines.
The present study reviews some of the notable oil spill incidents in Nigeria in the
past three and a half decades, takes a critical look at the oil spill through pipeline
vandalization in Ishiagu, Ebonyi South-East Nigeria, relates its possible effects on
public health and recommends measures to check this ugly trend in our society.
1.1 Oil spill incidents records in Nigeria between 1970 and 1998
Records of oil spill incidents in Nigeria only became apparent in late 1970s due to
occasional spills caused by corrosion and ageing facilities than through sabotage.
Table I contain details of crude oil production in thousand barrels, spill incidents and
quantity lost to the environment. In 1970, the crude oil production level was 395,
689,000 barrels. There was only one reported case of oil spill with a loss of 150 barrels
of crude oil to the environment. The data also show that 1979 and 1980 recorded the
highest spill incidents of 630,405 and 558,053 respectively in a 14-year period.
Awobayo (1981) in a separate analysis of oil spill incidents in Nigeria observed that
there were a total number of 784 oil spill incidents between 1976 and 1980. The spill
resulted in the loss of 1,336,875 barrels of oil. Also between January and May 1981,
about 121 incidents of oil spill were reported with another loss of 9,750 barrels to the
national economy. The study also examined the intensity and extensity of oil spill
incidents by geographic areas and company. Comparatively, Kontagora (1991)
Oil spill
incidents
71
observed that between 1976 and 1990 a total of 2,796 oil spill incidents were recorded
by oil companies in Nigeria with an estimated total quantity of 2,105,393 barrels of oil
spilled on land, coastal and offshore marine environment.
In a related analysis, David-West (2001) indicated that 40 years after the first oil
well was struck at Oloibiri in 1956, the 159 oil fields which produce from 1,481 wells
has shown a steady rise in crude oil production level in the country. He pointed out that
while these figures reflect national economic growth they also present increased
potentials for environmental pollution or hazards. It was further noted that between
1976 and 1998 the Department of Petroleum Resources DPR recorded a total of 5,724 oil
spillages (spills) with a total of 2,571,113.90 barrels of crude oil being spilled into the
environment. Table II indicates that of this amount 1,979,757 barrels or 77 percent of
the total spills were lost to the environment with enormous ecological and health
implications.
The oil blowout of January 17, 1980 in Rivers State was one of the worst
environmental disasters in record. In the spillage which involved Texaco Oil Company,
over 40,000 barrels of oil spread through the Delta region polluting about 1,200 km
2
.
A total of 321 villages with a population of 320,000 were affected by the oil spill. In the
disaster, about 180 people died while 300 people contacted various illnesses through
drinking polluted water and eating contaminated food (Odu and Offodum, 1986).
Another reported incident of oil spill in October 1986 occurred at Escravos in Delta
State involving Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline facilities. It
was estimated that eight major creeks and villages were affected by the spillage. In the
incident, several thousand barrels of oil were lost and economic activity was paralyzed
in the affected areas. The damage done to fishponds, nets and traps was put at over 2
million Naira (Odu and Offodum, 1986). Mobil oil spillage of 1998 polluted waters from
Akwa Ibom State in the East to Lagos State in the West. It was observed that the spill
led to loss of over 40,000 barrels of oil to the environment. The spill also destroyed
fishing nets, boats and fishponds (Nwilo et al., 2000; NDES, 1997). David-West (2001)
reported that the devastating effect of the spill was felt in Nigerian coast and beyond.
Brain (1996) revealed that in 1995, over 36,000 barrels of oil were spilled in the
course of operations through accidental discharge or sabotage. 60 percent of the
Quantity of crude oil production Quantity of crude oil spills
Year (’000 barrels) No. of crude oil spills (unit barrels)
1970 395,689 1 150
1971 558,689 14 15,110
1974 823,320 105 –
1976 758,058 128 20,023
1977 766,055 104 31,144
1978 696,324 154 97,250
1979 845,463 157 630,405
1980 760,117 241 558,053
1981 525,291 233 22,840
1982 470,638 213 33,612
1983 450,961 130 32,467
Source: Central Bank of Nigeria (1995); Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (1991)
Table I.
Oil production and
spillage data in Nigeria
between 1970 and 1983
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volume spilled was due to sabotage for the purpose of claiming compensation from
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), 30 percent in the course of operations
while the remaining 10 percent was due to corrosion of ageing facilities. Although there
were numerically more spills that occur due to operational failures or corrosion than
due to sabotage (the later accounting for 30 percent of spills in 1995/1996). The volumes
spilled as a result of deliberate action by communities to the environment are much
larger though the spills can be temporally and quite damaging to the environment.
1.2 Categorization of oil spill and implication to public health
Once there is an oil spill, the impact of its devastation can be easily appreciated when it
is categorized. This is usually with respect to the quantity of oil spilled and the type in
which the spill occurs as minor, medium, major and disaster (Ifeadi and Nwankwo,
1987; Ntukekpo, 1996). According to Ntukekpo (1996) minor spill takes place when the
oil discharge is less than 25 barrels in inland waters or less than 250 barrels on land,
offshore or coastal waters that does not pose a threat to public health or welfare. In the
event of the medium, the spill must be 250 barrels or less in the inland water and or 250
to 2,500 barrels on land, offshore and coastal water. While for the major spill the
discharge to the inland waters is in excess of 250 barrels on land, offshore or coastal
waters. The disaster refers to any uncontrolled well blowout, pipeline rupture or
storage tank failure which poses an imminent threat to public health or welfare
(Ntukekpo, 1996).
S/N Year No. of spill incidents Quantity spilled (barrels)
1. 1976 128 26,157.00
2. 1977 104 32,879.25
3. 1978 154 489,294.75
4. 1979 157 694,117.13
5. 1980 241 600,511.02
6. 1981 238 42,722.50
7. 1982 257 42,841.00
8. 1983 173 48,351.30
9. 1984 151 40,209.00
10. 1985 187 11,876.60
11. 1986 155 12,905.00
12. 1987 129 31,866.00
13. 1988 208 9,172.00
14. 1989 195 7,628.00
15. 1990 160 14,940.816
16. 1991 201 106,827,98
17. 1992 367 51,131.91
18. 1993 428 9,752.22
19. 1994 515 30,282.67
20. 1995 417 63,677.17
21. 1996 430 46,353.12
22. 1997 339 59,273.30
23. 1998 390 98,345.00
Total 5,724 2,571,113.90
Source: Department of Petroleum Resources
Table II.
Oil spill data in Nigeria
between 1976 and 1998
Oil spill
incidents
73
1.3 Oil spill and laws
The Nigerian oil industry has quite a number of laws put in place to guide its
operations but only a few applies to pollution. Salu (1999) and Oshineye (2000) have
identified the following in relation to pollution. These include:
.Endangered species Act (1990).
.Federal Environmental Protection Agency-FEPA Act (1990).
.Harmful waste Act (1990).
.Mineral Oil (safety) Regulation (1963).
.International Convention on the establishment of an International fund for
compensation for oil pollution damage (1971).
.African convention on the conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1968).
.Petroleum Regulation (1968).
.Oil in Navigable waters Act (1968).
.Oil pipeline Act (1956) (Amended by oil pipeline Act 1965).
.Environmental Impact Assessment EIA decree No. 86 (1992).
However, in an effort to combat oil spill in Nigeria, a consortium of 11 companies
including NNPC known as clean Nigeria Associates (CAN) was formed in 1981
which maintains a capacity to prevent and control spill and to combat pollutants in
general. Interestingly, the criminal justice Act 1975 and the Petroleum Production
and Distribution Act 1975 descends heavily on person or persons who indulge in
any act of sabotage on oil installation or facilities. Johnson (2004) noted that in the
purview of the act, any person convicted might be sentenced to either death or 21
years imprisonment.
1.4 Oil spill through pipeline vandalization (1970-2006)
The incidence of oil spill through pipeline vandalism appears to be peculiar to the
Niger Delta. Pipeline vandalization and disruption of production activities are nothing
new to oil and gas operations in Nigeria oil and gas rich Niger Delta (Nwachukwu,
2006). The number of oil pipeline crisscrossing the entire region from various flow
stations explains its vulnerability to these incidents.
Oil spill in Nigeria occurs as a result of sabotage, corrosion of pipes and storage
tanks, operational error and oil tankers accident. Ntukekpo (1996) affirmed that in
Nigeria, 50 percent of oil spill is due to corrosion, 28 percent to sabotage and 21 percent
to oil production operation. Engineering drills, inability to effectively control oil wells,
failure of machine and inadequate care in loading and unloading oil vessels contribute
1 percent.
Oil pipeline vandalization occurs through acts of sabotage. Sabotage here relates
to various acts that might interrupt the production and distribution of petroleum
products. Sabotage ranks next to corrosion of pipelines as a leading cause of oil
spillage in the country. Some of the inhabitants of the oil rich Niger Delta in oil
bunkering and from time to time damage and destroy oil pipeline in their effort to
collect oil from them (Ntukekpo, 1996). Thieves seeking to siphon fuel often locate,
target and attack oil pipelines in Nigeria. The spark that results from such an
impact has been attributable to the frequent pipeline fire and explosion. According
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to Johnson (2004) the pipeline explosion has killed hundreds of looters and
bystanders.
The most recent of this pipeline explosion in Ilado, Lagos Island on May 12, 2006 led
to more than 200 people incinerated in the pipeline fire (Balogun et al. 2006) Apart from
the loss of lives and property, environmental degradation of air, land and fresh water
ecosystem are common. Fishing and recreational activities are also hindered in the
aftermath of oil pollution of aquatic habitat. It is estimated that Nigeria loses at least
N29. Four billion naira or $10.4 million per day or an average of 200,000 bb/d of crude
oil or some 10 percent of its total output to theft (Johnson, 2004; Nwachukwu, 2006;
Adebayo and Amaefule, 2006).
Table III shows the yearly/monthly account of oil pipeline vandalization between
1970 and 2006. Apart from the over 1 billion barrels of oil lost to the environment,
between 1970 and 1980 due to operational failure and corrosion, other oil spill incidents
resulted from sabotage. In 1982, the Abudu pipeline spill led to loss of over 18,818
barrels of oil to the environment (NDES, 1997). The pipeline vandalization incident at
Escravos field in 1986 affected eight creeks, polluted rivers and several villages were
displaced. Also fishing nets and property worth over two million naira were lost to the
incident (Odu and Offodum, 1986).
An account of two separate pipeline explosion in Southern Nigeria resulted in the
death of 300 people in less than ten days. Johnson (2004) reported that the first pipeline
rupture occurred in a village called Adeje on July 11 and the second on July 17, 2000 in
the municipality of Warri Delta State Nigeria. Besides the environmental impact, the
number of deaths in Adeje pipeline incident was a far cry when compared to the human
tragedy that befell Jesse people of Delta State Nigeria following the pipeline explosion
which claimed over 1,000 lives (Nwilo et al., 2000). The gory picture of 200 badly
burned villagers at rural south-eastern town of Isiukwuato, Abia State due to pipeline
explosion is yet another horrendous effect of pipeline vandalization. The explosion
occurred when petrol leaking from damaged pipeline was ignited by a spark as locals
attempted to scoop it up. It was also observed that when the Abia pipe began to leak
eight months ago, it was carrying kerosene but shortly before the blast the NNPC
began pumping petrol (gasoline) through the pipe which is both more valuable and
more volatile (Johnson, 2004).
The continued attack on pipeline and other oil installation in the country is
assuming a new dimension including abduction and hostage taking of expatriates
staff involved in oil operation in exchange for monetary gains. Nwachukwu (2006)
reported that the recent spate of attack on Trans Ramon pipeline by militant at
Brass creek manifold in Bayelsa State resulted in the closure of SNEPCO’s East
Area field and disruption of oil export at Farcados Export terminal, it was also
observed that a few days to Christmas SPDC suffered a similar attack on its
pipeline at Diebu creek and Nun River field which resulted in the shut of
180,000 bpd and suspension of export from the Bonny Terminal. This closure lasted
between December 21, 2005 and January 6, 2006 (Nwachukwu, 2006; Adebayo and
Amaefule, 2006).
Details of production deferment due to these attack according to Nwachukwu (2006)
which peaked at 400 000 bpd in 2003 has dropped by half to about 200,000 bpd in 2005,
again oil spills had reduced both in number and volume. Oil spill incident accordingly
dropped from about 340 in 2000 to less than 100 in 2005. The volume of spill decreased
Oil spill
incidents
75
Year/month Incident Primary cause
Quantity
spilled Spill site Major impact/effect
1970 Oil blowout Corrosion and operational
failure
.250 b Shell BP Bomu II Air, soil and water pollution, loss of ecological
and aquatic species and health problem
1972 Oil blowout Corrosion and operational
failure
.250 b Elf Obaji 21 Air, soil and water pollution
1978 Oil blowout Corrosion and operational
failure
300,000 b Gocon’s Escravos Air, soil and water pollution
1978 Oil blowout Corrosion and operational
failure
580,000 b SPDC Forcados
Terminal
Air, soil and water pollution
1980 Oil blowout Corrosion and operational
failure
400,000 b Texaco Escravo
Funiva
321 villages displaced, 18 people killed,
environment polluted
1982 Pipeline rupture Sabotage by locals 18,818 b Abudu Air, soil and water pollution, loss of ecological
species and health problems
1986 Pipeline rupture Sabotage by locals 18,818 b Escravos Villages displaced, eight creeks and villages
affected, property and fishing nets lost
1998 Pipeline rupture Sabotage by locals 18,818 b Jesse 1,000 lives lost, air, soil and water pollution,
health problems and villages displaced
1998 Oil blowout Corrosion and operational
failure
40,000 b Idaho Air and water pollution, loss of aquatic and
ecological species
1999 Pipeline rupture Sabotage by locals – Ishiagu Water and soil pollution, seven people killed, loss
of arable land and health problems
May 2000 Pipeline rupture Sabotage by locals – Diebu Water and soil pollution, loss of aquatic and
ecological species, fishing activity restricted
July 11 2000 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals – Adeje Air, soil and water pollution, loss of lives and
property, health problems
July 17 2000 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals – Jesse Air, soil and water pollution, loss of arable land,
loss of aquatic species
August 2001 Pipeline rupture Sabotage by locals – Ishiagu Water and soil pollution, loss of lives and
property, loss of arable land
January 3, 2002 NNPC pipeline
rupture
Sabotage by locals – Escravos Water air and soil pollution, loss of ecological and
aquatic species
(continued)
Table III.
Pipeline vandalization
and associated oil spill in
Nigeria (1970 to 2006)
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Year/month Incident Primary cause
Quantity
spilled Spill site Major impact/effect
October 15, 2002 NNPC pipeline
rupture
Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Akute Ogun State Air, soil and water pollution, 20 people died
March 16, 2003 NNPC pipeline
rupture
Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Forcados Loss of lives and property, air, soil and water
pollution
2003 NNPC pipeline
rupture
Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Ishiugu Water, soil and air pollution, loss of lives and
property
April 29, 2003 NNPC pipeline
rupture
Sabotage by locals – Escravos Loss of revenue, loss of lives and property
May 3, 2003 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Oso Air, soil and water pollution, loss of lives and
property
June 22, 2003 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Isiukwato 200 people burnt to death, air, soil and water
pollution, loss of arable land
September 26,
2003
Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Nembe Five people killed, loss of revenue, water and soil
pollution
August 2005 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Ishiugu Five people killed, loss of revenue, water and soil
pollution
December, 21
2005
Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Diebu Creek Water and soil pollution, loss of revenue,
ecological and aquatic species
January, 2006 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Brass Creek Water and soil pollution, loss of ecological and
aquatic species
March, 2006 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Aggre Ekeremor Water and soil pollution, loss of ecological and
aquatic species
May, 2006 Pipeline rupture/fire Sabotage by locals 40,000 b Snake Island Lagos Air, water and soil pollution, economic activity
affected, 200 killed, aquatic and ecological species
lost
Sources: Johnson (2004); Environmental Right Action (2000)
Table III.
Oil spill
incidents
77
from 78,000 bpd in 2001 to about 5,000v in 2005 and incident of crude oil theft in Niger
Delta dropped by about 70 percent during 2005 operating year. Also crude oil theft fell
from 100,000 bpd prior to 2003 election to less than 30,000bpd in 2005 (Nwachukwu,
2006).
The reason for this drop in activity may be due to the renewed fight against the
activities of vandals by Presidential Task Force on pipeline vandalization. The task
force had on July 23, 2000 arrested and executed three children who had gone after
school to watch people scoop up the fuel from a leaking pipeline. The children were still
in their school uniform when the arrest was made. This also underscores the
involvement of youths in this unwholesome practice and portends great danger for the
future of our dear country.
2. Material and methods
2.1 Study area
The importance of Ivo River in the socio-cultural mix of people informed its choice as
Ivo LGA in Ebonyi State. Located approximately 68050N latitude and 78200E longitude
in the South-east Nigeria, Ivo LGA is also endowed with a number of solid mineral
deposits including quartz, barytes, lead/zinc ore among others. Ishiagu being an
important community in Ivo also serves as a transit route for NNPC oil pipeline
facilities. The presence of this facilities along its right of way within the community
has until recently been an object of frequent attack by locals. Ishiagu is not an oil
bearing community but the cyclic orgy of pipeline breaks through acts of sabotage has
turned the hither to relatively unknown and peaceful community into a mini oil
community with attendant environmental pollution problem reminiscent of the Niger
Delta region.
2.2 Data collection
The study employed both primary and secondary data sources. In primary data
gathering, oral interviews are conducted alongside questionnaire administration. The
following data were collected:
(1) frequency of vandalization;
(2) streams affected;
(3) number of villages affected;
(4) effects on health;
(5) lives lost; and
(6) photographs have also been used to illustrate findings.
Secondary data collection entailed review of:
(1) past oil spill incidents in Nigeria by DPR, CBN etc.;
(2) pipeline vandalization in Nigeria by Nigeria Country Analysis Briefs; and
(3) others published materials.
3. Results
Table IV shows trends in pipeline vandalization in Ishiagu. The data indicate that
between 1970 and 1990 there was no single case of pipeline vandalization in the
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Year
Frequency of
vandalization Villages affected Streams/rivers affected Effect on health
Number of
lives lost
1970
to
1980 – – – – –
1980
to
1990 – – – – –
1990
to
2000 2
Amonye, Amata, Amaeze, Ameke,
Ngwogwo, Amokwe, Amagu Ogwor, Okue
Ivo, Uzohu, Ike, Iyioku
Ikwo, Unu, Iyiodu
Gastroenteritis, abdominal disorder,
respiratory problem, skin rashes –
2001 3
Ihie, Amonye, Amata, Amaeze, Ameke,
Ngwogwo, Amagu, Okue, Amokwe
Ivo, Iyioku, Ikwo, Ike,
Unu, Iyiodu, Uzohu
Diarrhoea, skin irritation, cough,
miscarriages, tainted fish, contaminated
water 3
2003 3
Amata, Ameze, Ameke, Ngwogwo
Amokwe, Amokwe, Amagu, Okue
Ikwo, Iyioku, Unu,
IkeIvo, Uzohu, Iyiodu
Dermatitis, gastroenteritis, respiratory
difficulty, malaise, contaminated water 4
2005 2
Ivo, Uzohu, Ike, Iyiodu,
Ikwo
Respiratory problem, cough, diarrhoea, skin
irritation, contaminated water 2
Table IV.
Pipeline vandalization in
Ishiagu in the last 3.5
decades
Oil spill
incidents
79
area. However in 1999, the first reported case of pipeline vandalization took place
along the 145 km NNPC line at Ishiagu. The oil spill and associated pollution loads
destroyed agricultural lands and runoff from impacted sites polluted more than
seven streams notably, Ivo, Ike, Uzohu, Ikwo, Iyioku, Unu and Iyiodu. Also nine
villages that depend on these streams and rivers for their domestic water supply
needs were affected. Health problems such as gastroenteritis, respiratory problems
and widespread skin disorders were rampant. Similar records were obtained for
2001, 2003 and 2005 with total number of lives lost between 1999 and 2005 put at
nine. The pipeline explosion that occurred in 2003 led to the loss of 4 lives in the
process.
4. Discussion
4.1 Pipeline vandalization in Ishiagu
Pipeline vandalization has been widely reported along the NNPC pipeline in several
communities in the Niger Delta area, however not much publicity has been made in
some communities outside this region. Cases of oil spill through pipeline vandalization
has taken place in Obioma Ngwaa and Isiukwuato LGA of Abia State, Ndi Aboh in
Aninri LGA of Enugu State and Ishiagu in Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State to mention but a
few. Ishiagu is an important community in Ivo LGA Ebonyi State and endowed with a
number of solid mineral resources and network of fresh water systems. These rivers
serve not only as source of domestic water supply but also useful grounds for local
fishing activity. Ishiagu is also an important transit route and host for NNPC pipeline
route for local supply to domestic markets. The presence of this pipeline in the
community has for sometime now encouraged the activities of locals who pride in
tapping into the pipeline for cheap economic gains.
The first reported case of pipeline vandalization in Ishiagu according to locals
occurred in 1999. In the ensuring spillage it was estimated that over 5,000 barrels of oil
were lost to the environment. This incident led to public outcry by the community
calling on government for assistance as runoff from impacted sites have polluted their
domestic water supply sources, killed fishes and other aquatic foods and reduced
recreational activity. It was also discovered that people who consumed water from the
streams suffered localized health disorder ranging from gastroenteritis, respiratory
problems to generalized skin irritation. Ivo river, a major fresh water system that is
fringed by more than 50 percent of the 11 villages were among the worst hit among
other adjoining streams.
The perpetrators of this act of vandalism involve a youth syndicate who employ
crude techniques in cutting open the oil pipeline facility at night. The identity of
these miscreants has remained largely unknown. It was further observed by
residents that the close collaboration of the youths with some mini oil tanker
operators from neighbouring towns and cities have projected this illegal pipeline
product siphoning trade to such an enviable height where a large segment of the
community now view it as a major constructive lucrative engagement besides
agriculture.
The pipeline vandalization of 2003 and 2005 the pipeline vandalization of 2003
and 2005 in Ishiagu resulted in an estimated loss of over 25,000 barrel of oil. in
barrels of oil to the environment. This resulted from about ten different oil spill
incidents within the vicinity of km 145 axis of the NNPC pipeline at Ishiagu. About
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nine persons mostly youths lost their lives to the ensuing pipeline fire. In the 2003
incident, the pipeline explosion believed to have been ignited by cigarette and spark
from steaming motorbike used by the vandals claimed four lives, and agricultural
produce worth thousands of naira destroyed. Run-off from the affected sites polluted
streams and rivers while fishes and other aquatic species freely floated on river
courses.
4.2 Potential impact of oil pollution on health
There are quite a number of health related problems associated with oil pollution of
fresh water. It is instructive to note that many local streams and river once rich in fish
now support little or no aquatic life. Indigenous people have reported that livestock are
dying from drinking contaminated streams and rivers. These are typically same water
used for drinking, cooking and bathing.
Locals have also reported that bathing by humans in the river water in the event
of oil pollution causes skin rashes especially after heavy rains which accelerates the
run-off from oil impacted sites into streams. In 1993, local community health worker’s
association conducted a descriptive study in three communities. The study suggested
that exposed communities to oil pollution had elevated morbidity, higher occurrence
of abortion, dermatitis, skin mycosis, malnutrition and mortality rates (San Sebastian
and Hurtig, 2004). Similarly communities living near oil fields indicate higher risks of
adverse health effects such as skin mycosis, tiredness, itchy nose, sore throat and
headache. Other discomfort identified by San Sebastian and Hurtig (2004) among
women living in exposed communities are red eye, ear pain, diarrhoea and gastritis.
The authors also states that the risk of spontaneous abortion of 2.5 percent higher
was found in women living in the proximity of oil fields Uchegbu (1998) stated that
the chemical compound from polluted environment is responsible for respiratory and
chromosomal damage, still birth and cancer in women. In the case of males, reported
incidence of cancer was observed among males in a village located in an oil
producing area. A later study found significantly higher incidence of all cancer sites
combined in both men and women in communities where oil exploitation had been
ongoing for at least 20 years. Significantly, elevated levels were also observed for
cancers of stomach, rectum, skin melanoma, soft tissue and kidney in men and
women. An increase in haematopoietic cancer was also observed in children (San
Sebastian and Hurtig, 2004).
In pursuance of the ideals of the millennium development goals initiative increased
access to good and high quality potable water is considered paramount in attainment
of the human development index. The continued deterioration in quality of fresh water
system by oil pollution through acts of sabotage is indeed one major factor identified as
militating against full realization of this goal. Therefore it is strongly recommended
that vigorous public enlightenment campaign be mounted in these communities to
dissuade and educate them on the inherent dangers of pipeline vandalization. It is an
illegal act and the scale of destruction both in terms of health and ecological stand
point far outweighs whatever pecuniary gains it may tend to offer. Effort should also
be made to provide the youths with employment, infrastructural facilities like skill
acquisition centers and the necessary economic empowerment tools for self
actualization (see Figures 1-8).
Oil spill
incidents
81
Figure 2.
Artificial reservoir (hole)
and containers used for
tapping into NNPC
pipeline by vandals
Figure 1.
NNPC bill-board warning
of dangers of pipeline
vandalization and health
hazard
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19,1
82
Figure 3.
Typical oil spill polluting
streams following pipeline
vandalization at Ishiagu
recently
Figure 4.
One of the dependable
fresh water systems (Ivo
River) polluted by the oil
spill through pipeline
vandalization, health of
users at risk
Oil spill
incidents
83
Figure 5.
Farmers counting losses
as pipeline fire devastates
their crops and arable land
Figure 6.
Palm trees and other crops
decimated by the ravaging
pipeline fire
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84
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Figure 8.
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Oil spill
incidents
85
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DPM
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About the authors
K.N. Aroh is based in the Department of Environmental Management Institute of Geosciences
and Space Technology (IGST), Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.
I.U. Ubong is based at the Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University of Science
and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
C.L. Eze is based at the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (Port Harcourt), Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.
I.M. Harry is based at the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (Port Harcourt),
Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
J.C. Umo-Otong is based at the Environmental and Human Health Research Association, Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.
A.E. Gobo is based in the Department of Environmental Management Institute of
Geosciences and Space Technology (IGST), Rivers State University of Science and Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Oil spill
incidents
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