{"id":5036,"date":"2024-01-24T08:29:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T08:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/?p=5036"},"modified":"2024-01-24T08:29:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T08:29:16","slug":"field-report-shell-preparing-to-shell-gbarantoru-environment-again-with-noxious-fumes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/?p=5036","title":{"rendered":"FIELD REPORT:\u00a0 Shell preparing to “shell” Gbarantoru environment again with noxious fumes"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/u>Highlight<\/strong>: The leadership of Gbarantoru has expressed serious concerns about the planned gas flare installation in the community.<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong>: Gbarantoru community, Ekpetiama Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State<\/p>\n

Date of Visit<\/strong>: Saturday 20 January 2024<\/p>\n

INTRODUCTION: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Gbarantoru community is host to Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] oil wells and oil\/gas bearing pipelines. The community has had its fair share of oil impacts on the environment, considered commonplace in the Niger Delta; oil industry-induced pollution and conflicts.<\/p>\n

Although the ERA\/FoEN<\/strong> has had reason to visit Gbarantoru several times, the last visit in connection with environmental safety and oil pollution was in 2009. In a follow-up\u00a0 ERA\/FoEN Field Report dated November 5, 2009<\/a>; the introduction had this statement \u2018\u2019 According to natives of Gbarantoru community, Shell ignited a gas flare furnace at about midnight on 25th<\/sup> October,2009, waking the people rudely to an environment polluted by noise and noxious gas emitted into the atmosphere\u2019\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"ERA\/FoEN had to revisit the community on Saturday, 20th<\/sup> January, 2024 following information from a concerned community folk; that Shell is preparing something similar to the ugly experience of 2009 for the Gbrantoru people.\u00a0 This field visit is in alignment with ERA\/FoEN\u2019s philosophy of ensuring evidence-based environmental safety advocacy in the common interest.<\/p>\n

During the visit, ERA\/FoEN observed a towering oil well drilling rig situated as if it were in the Gbarantoru community even before being led to the site of interest by a community guide. And, whether Shell would set up the gas flare stack and flare gas is the crux of this field report. This is so because, at oil and gas extraction sites, due to pressure gas flares could become options for testing, safety, and emergency reasons. Incidentally, Shell would flare horizontally; at ground level. Considering the proximity to the community and living homes; the leadership of Gbarantoru and Ekpetiama kingdom are very much concerned about the health implications on inhabitants; even as the community has witnessed expansion.<\/p>\n

Like the proverbial leopard and its skin, Shell has concluded plans to divest onshore facilities and proceed offshore to continue the crude oil and gas business.<\/p>\n

REACTIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some current residents and landlords in Gbarantoru did not experience the incident of 2009, yet they have observed Shell\u2019s nightly activities. According to a lady who identified herself as Mrs. Kembia Paul <\/strong>\u2018\u2019 Few days ago a bike man dropped me here [and referring to what Shell was going on with], he said, \u2018\u2019Madam that thing irritates\u2019\u2019. And the little I know about it [gas flaring], they say it is not good for human health. We were not here when the last one you referred to happened. We just came in here just about three months ago. So, for this kind of thing coming close to residents, it is not good for human health. Everyone knows how the world is today, since it is not good for human health [children are here] if there is anything they can do to help; we are interested because of our health. Everybody is born to live. We are not born to die gradually. Even if death comes, it is inevitable…if there is anything they can do. ..even this one, it was in the night. We just woke up and saw that they have done with it [raised the rig]. So, igniting of the gas flare furnace is expected in the night\u2019\u2019. <\/strong>\u00a0This lady and her family are not indigenes of the community.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Leading ERA\/FoEN to the site of interest and recounting his experience when Shell flared gas at that same location in 2009, an indigene of Gbrantoru and chairman, Progressive Forum of Gbrantoru, Dakolo Ineikade<\/strong> said \u2018\u2019 Right now we are at the site that SPDC have positioned their rig and about to flare gas.\u00a0 Some years ago when we observed a similar thing and tried stopping them, they refused. If you go to my building now you will see the crack on the wall due to that incident. They flared gas here for more than a month then. It affected our crops and buildings and we couldn\u2019t sleep. The same thing is about to happen. We are trying to see how to interface with the authorities and those who are in charge so that this should not take place here. If there is a way they can take it elsewhere, better. This time around we would not stand and look at this hazardous effect on us. This gas flare that is about to occur here, I, a former youth leader, and other concerned members of the community have taken it upon ourselves that we will stand and make sure the gas flare won\u2019t take place. SPDC should take it elsewhere\u2026we are the immediate impacted community\u2019\u2019. <\/strong><\/p>\n

ERA\/FoEN tried reaching the Women leader of the community for comments, but she wasn\u2019t around. ERA\/FoEN then proceeded to the residence of HRH Chief Igonia Dakolo<\/strong>, Ibolo X1, Amananaowei of Gbarantoru [Paramount ruler].\u00a0 The paramount ruler expressed serious concerns, especially on health grounds. In his words \u2018\u2019 It is quite saddening to see such happening on Shell facility so close to the King\u2019s house, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom\u2019s house. And you say the land belongs to somebody far from the site. A lot of people [in the community] are now asthmatic because of all this rubbish.\u00a0 My wife is asthmatic, she doesn\u2019t have asthma before. She got it a few years back. Just one day it started, just like a joke. The environmental impact is so much. But we cannot run away from our ancestral home. And because we are peaceful people, we love peace; we don\u2019t want to take laws into our hands. The only thing we can do is to write. And we started writing. I discovered that this writing process; is a bit slow in terms of the expected results. I want to use this opportunity to plead with you people [ERA] to do what you can do and as fast as you can; to make these people [Shell] know what they are doing because I know it will get out of hand very soon. As a leader I am trying as much as I can to douse the tension; by telling them [community folks] that we are writing. And the best way to handle issues now is through dialogue. Is through dialogue and I want them too [SPDC] to act as fast as they can. It is getting out of hand and I want ERA\/FoEN too to assist. They shouldn\u2019t take our peaceful nature because we are enlightened for granted; we want the right things to be done\u2019\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Since the King of Ekpetiama kingdom hails from Gbarantoru and, his residence was not far from the site of interest and he was in town, ERA\/FoEN sought to see and hear from him on the subject matter. More so, ERA\/FoEN has seen related posts on the King\u2019s Facebook wall about twice within three days before ERA\/FoEN\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n

Reacting to the subject matter, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada 1V said<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2019Before\u00a0the incident of 2009 which ERA\/FoEN reported, they [Shell] have been flaring gas there. But, it was done stealthily because before our people would get there they would put it off. That was the scenario. From all indications, as they are drilling currently, definitely it will get to a point where they will flare gas. Flaring means, putting those nuzzles into my nostrils and pumping me with those noxious chemicals. And, even if I can stand it, how many persons in the community would be able to stand it? So, people would die and you won\u2019t even know that it is caused by poison from Shell. I don\u2019t blame Shell. Why would the Nigerian state, with all the NUPRC, all the regulators just sit there and people will come and be killing people? So what is your job as a regulator? <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Nigerian state is what has caused the IOCs to be as deadly as they are; because the same IOCs would not misbehave in England, they won\u2019t misbehave in Abeerdin, they won\u2019t misbehave in the US. So why are they misbehaving here? They are misbehaving here because we have sellouts\u2026is a big shame.\u00a0 My message to Shell is that they should not drill here\u2026.what is going on is an aggression against, not only the people of Ekpetiama, not only the people of Gbarantoru; the entire Ijawnation. It is an aggression against Nigerian citizens who are living here\u2019\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

OBSERVATIONS\/CONCLUSION:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Visitors to Gbarantoru would notice that the people are peacefully going about their businesses; including farming. One of the main observations is the towering drilling rig as the visitor looks towards the King of Ekpetiama\u2019s residence. And, going further, on the left and right sides of footpaths are signs that the community is expanding; as new buildings and foundations tell the story of expansion.\u00a0 ERA\/FoEN\u2019s field monitors were surprised that the bush paths that led towards the flare site had given way to residential houses, schools, well-maintained farms, and building foundations. The last residential building is less than 50 meters from the \u2018\u2019yet-to-be activated gas flare stack\u2019\u2019.\u00a0 The king\u2019s premises to the gas flare stack [which is yet to be activated by Shell]; is about 250 meters.<\/p>\n

From experience, as ERA\/FoEN raised alarm before Shell ignited the gas flare stack at its Opolo Well 14 facility in 2013; Shell will do the same sooner or later here in this environment. ERA\/FoEN is not delving into land ownership but is concerned about the proximity to living homes in the Gbarantoru community. Crime committed inside one\u2019s house doesn\u2019t reduce the effect of the crime or shortens the arm of the law to catch up with the perpetrator[s] of the crime. This is an issue of environmental justice and should be treated as such.<\/p>\n

ERA\/FoEN DEMANDS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stakeholders should rise in the spirit that an injury to one is an injury to all.\u00a0 In the light of the above, ERA\/FoEN make the following demands:<\/p>\n

[1] The Regulatory agencies of the Federal Government, especially the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission [NUPRC] and Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources should step in and ensure the protection of the rights of citizens to a generally satisfactory environment favourable to their development. Enough of oil industry-induced pollution and related crises.<\/p>\n

[2] The Bayelsa State Government, through the State Ministry of Environment, should take the necessary steps to interface with Shell and relevant Federal agencies to prevent environmentally harmful practices, protect indigenes, and prevent the breakdown of law and order.<\/p>\n

[3] Other stakeholders, including environmental safety advocacy groups, legal practitioners, Ijaw socio-political groups [INC\/IYC], and media also play roles expected in the interest of environmental justice; considering global standards of oil industry operations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Highlight: The leadership of Gbarantoru has expressed serious concerns about the planned gas flare installation in the community. Location: Gbarantoru community, Ekpetiama Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State Date of Visit: Saturday 20 January 2024 INTRODUCTION: Gbarantoru community is host to Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] oil wells and oil\/gas bearing pipelines. The community has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,8],"tags":[53,52,26,51],"class_list":["post-5036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-voices","category-field-reports","tag-alagoa-morris","tag-bayelsa-state","tag-erafoen-2","tag-gas-flare"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5036"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5042,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5036\/revisions\/5042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erafoen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}