The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), on Friday
allayed the fears expressed by Joinkrama 4 (JK 4) community in Rivers on safety
of pipelines being laid at Adibawa oil fields in the area.
The
residents had expressed fears the laying of a new gas pipeline through the
community by SPDC close to their residential areas would compromise their
safety.
Excavation
works and fitting of pipes are ongoing at Adibawa fields operated by SPDC.
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| SECTIONS OF THE PIPELINE WORK AT JK4, AHOADA WEST LGA, RIVERS |
Ambrose
Osuolo, a community leader in the area, said there was anxiety among the people
of the community over proximity to residential areas.
“We
are disturbed because there are lots of buildings on this line right side as
you approach the community, they have diverted the pipeline, crossing the road
to the other side but they should pass the pipes through the bush.
“Even
the side they have diverted to, there are lots of buildings.
“The
distance between the pipeline and buildings is not up to five meters, so owners
of the buildings are all scared.
“Shell
had surveyed the bush where to route this pipeline in the past; a virgin bush.
“But
we do not see why they are now passing the gas pipeline through the community.”
JK
4, also referred to as Edagberi, located in Ahoada West Local Government Area
of Rivers shares boundaries with some communities in Yenagoa Local Government
Area of Bayelsa.
However,
Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations at SPDC in a reaction to the
development, explained that the fears were unfounded as the oil firm has no or
new ongoing gas project in the area.
According
to him, ongoing work at SPDC’s field at Adibawa was limited to replacement of
existing crude pipelines within its right of way.
“SPDC
is not laying any gas pipelines in the area in question. However, there’s
sectional replacement of existing old flowlines in Adibawa within SPDC’s right
of way,” Odugbesan.
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