The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Saturday confirmed that an oil spill occurred at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) loading terminal, SMI, in Bonny, Rivers State.
The Agency made this known in a statement issued on Sunday December 15, 2024 by its Head, Public Relations, Osagie Edward.
New National Star reports that the incident which was a major burst at Shell’s Bonny Terminal in Rivers State, spilled oil all the way to the shoreline, around 14 miles, effecting surrounding communities.
However, NIMASA in its statement claimed that ruptured pipeline at Shell’s Bonny Terminal resulted in an oil spill, prompting SPDC to shutdown the affected pipeline and deployed containment booms to protect the neighboring communities.
The statement read in part, “Although the spill has reached the shoreline, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is actively monitoring the situation from an emergency operations center.
“The agency is collaborating with SPDC and other relevant stakeholders to assess the extent of the spill and determine necessary follow-up actions”.
The Agency therefore appealed to the members of the public to remain calm as its is committed to mitigating the impact of the spill and restore affected areas.
