Introduction:
The outbreak of any unpleasant event like dead fish floating and washing ashore can always be traced to a source. When events of this magnitude occur, efforts should be made to investigate the immediate or remote cause(s) and to have them urgently addressed. Although the immediate/remote cause is still speculative, all fingers are pointing to the activities oil companies in the region. In this special report, the strange phenomenon of dead fish being washed ashore since the month of February 2020 in coastline communities of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States will be discussed.
Concerns are being expressed by community people as per the continued washing ashore of dead fish along the Atlantic coastline, from Delta State where it was first observed to Bayelsa and Rivers States at about one month intervals. This is an ongoing experience in the littoral states and there are fresh evidences of dead fish littered along Ibeno waterfront in Akwa Ibom State.
Community folks are suspecting the strange incident to have its source from oil industry-related pollution. This is quite understandable following years of oil exploration and exploitation activities in the Niger Delta and associated environmental degradation leading to negative impacts on flora and fauna [including marine environment], loss of livelihood and health complications. Fisher folks who are migrant in nature have experienced such things over and over in the rivers/ creeks, seas and oceans in the course of their fishing expeditions and, they often share experiences with fellow fisher folks and interested members of the public, especially the media and environmental non-governmental organizations.
Due to tidal current, it is common to have materials resulting from certain incidents [like oil spill] spreading from one geographical location on the Atlantic to another. This is because of the interconnectedness of rivers, creeks and seas in the region. This was the case in Shell’s December, 2011 Bonga spill which spread crude oil across the Niger Delta States. Fisher folks affected by that incident are still awaiting environmental justice till date.
This report is a wakeup call to regulatory agencies like National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency [NOSDRA], the Ministries of Environment in the Niger Delta states and the National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to fast-track a transparent and all-inclusive investigation, have the cause duly addressed and let perpetrators be made to face the full weight of the law.
Where and when was this current incident first experienced?
Although the exact date community folks started experiencing dead fish washing ashore could not be immediately ascertained, it may have started between the second and third week of February, 2020 in Sokebolou and Yokikri communities in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu local government area of Delta State.
On 20th February, 2020, this incident was first shared on the WhatsApp group set up by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Delta State Governor on Security [Security First in Delta]. The information was shared from an online publication by Coastal Times [Blog] with the Headline “How SPDC spreads Hazardous Chemicals in Sokebolou/Yokiri Waterways, Killing Aquatic lives ’’. On the same date, another post on the group shared an online publication from The Liberator with a similar headline: “Delta: Dangers as SPDC spread hazardous chemicals in Sokebolou/Yokiri Waterways ’’. These two online news outlets came up with subsequent publications with similar headlines which includes: “SPDC toxic substance in Ogulagha Kingdom, other areas might cause cancer, expert warns ’’; “SPDC Hazardous Chemical: Sekobolou Youths Send Warning Message to SPDC… ’’; “SPDC Chemicals: Forcados registers case, says fishes are dying uncontrollably ’’; “SPDC’s Pollution of waterways: CEPEJ calls on Federal and Delta State Government to rescue affected communities, threatens to sue SPDC over continuous pollution of Niger Delta Environment ’’ etc.
Within same month of February, other online documentation of this incident in Delta State surfaced and can be viewed at https://ndmnewsxclusive.blogspot.com and www.asabametro.com.
The Spread to Bayelsa State
Having allegedly identified the environment where the dead fish incident was first experienced and the most likely source of pollutant as being from Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] facility, it becomes easy to link the same experience of dead fish species in the coastline of Bayelsa State to the Ogulagha environment experience [in Delta State].
This linkage is supported by a report of the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria [ERA/FoEN] titled: “How SPDC’s Toxic Chemicals Uptake Eliminate Fishes in Bayelsa, Delta’’ as published in a local tabloid, Izon Link [Thursday 2 – Thursday 9 April, 2020, page 5]. This view was strengthened by the written statement by Surveyor Furoebi F.S. Akene which was titled: “Environmental Genocide in the Niger Delta by the Multinational Oil Companies: A Call for Concern’’. Surveyor Akene is the Chairman, Board of trustees of the Centre for Environmental Preservation and Development –CEPAD, a fellow of the Nigerian Environmental Society and former Commissioner in Bayelsa State.
The main area of interest of his article to this report is where he observed that “While the whole world is engulfed in the coronavirus pandemic, the people of the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean in Bayelsa and Delta States of Nigeria are now faced with fear of a possible outbreak of Cholera, other waterborne and airborne diseases” and that “urgent steps should be taken to arrest the situation”.
It is alleged that as SPDC was doing flushing of their Forcados trunk line in early February 2020, there was a blowout. “Report has it that in a bid to conceal and suppress the truth about what happened, they introduced some chemicals into the waters to sink the crude oil and as a result, caused so much damage on the aquatic/marine life to the extent that dead fish started flowing to the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean and through the estuaries to the swamps of the hinterland. The areas worst hit are all the communities in Ogulagha clan, Gbaranmatu clan, Odimodi clan, etc. in Delta State; and Agge, Ezetu1, Ezetu 2, Furopa, Koluama1, Koluama 2, Akassa clan, Sangana, etc in Bayelsa State’’ This claim was also supported by Adi Noel, an industry expert who said during an interview with Vanguard that the incident could have been triggered by the use of dispersants to cleanup operational spills .
Time Taken to Spread to other States from Delta
From available documentation [see references made above], especially the ERA/FoEN field report, the incident which was experienced around the 2nd/3rd week in February, 2020 in Delta State also came to the notice of coastline community folks in Bayelsa State around the 1st/ 2nd week of March, 2020 in about a month interval. According to the report, the first information was received through video clips on 15th March, 2020 Since then, according to community folks, the numbers of dead fish washed ashore have increased. A text message from a local on 30th March, 2020 read thus: “Hello, my name is Chief [Hon] Percy I. Jerrywemi-kuomain of Okpoama Kingdom. For the past two weeks, there has been a strange phenomenon that has been experienced. It is about dead fishes being washed ashore on the Okpoama beach. Right now no one knows the cause of the multiple deaths of fishes and again, it’s almost just one type of fish, the Onah or what we call in local palace Broke Marriage.” Okpoama is in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The second paragraph of a letter signed by the executive secretary of Akassa Development Foundation [ADF] read thus, “Akassa communities are amongst several communities hit by the impact of dead fishes being washed ashore since mid-March, 2020. The ADF had since then, worked with community groups especially fisherfolks to identify p ossible causes of the dead fishes and the source, to enable Akassa communities take the right steps in engaging relevant government agencies’’.
Similarly, an SMS received from the CDC Chairman of Odioama community read thus, “We are witnessing more fishes washed ashore daily. The situation is very worrisome. The worst of it is that some persons are consuming and even selling the dead fishes picked along the shore for consumption and this may pose health hazards for our people. The situation is the same at Okpoama, Diema, Oyakama, Akabeleuama, and Ibidi communities. I have personally witnessed this’’. Odioama is a coastal community along the Atlantic coastline between Bayelsa and Rivers States. And, if the people of Odioama are still experiencing dead fish being washed ashore in large numbers, it is not a surprise to hear that communities in Rivers State, especially Bonny have started having same experience in their environment.
Meanwhile, a forum of Community Development Committees [CDC] chairmen of Chevron host communities have appealed to the Federal Government and Bayelsa State Government to check the impact of suspected toxic pollution across the Atlantic coastline in Bayelsa state.
The Bonny Experience
This incident which is traced from the Bight of Benin, from all indications has finally arrived at the bight of Bonny, covering communities on the coastline from Delta to Rivers State [including Bayelsa]. The matter was taken to social media; especially Facebook by concerned indigenes of Rivers State, from the Bonny environment. Incidentally, even though some who reacted to posts claimed they witnessed the strange phenomenon about 20 days earlier; the matter was coming to the public about a month after it came up in Bayelsa State. According to one respondent, “I am in Bonny, and I am a witness to what he’s saying. As at last week people in Bonny, especially the Andoni settlers in Bonny picked plenty of it and dried it to PH and sell it’’. Another one said, ‘’ Please I saw them in Ke community river, fresh and life floating from the sea to the rivers and creeks for more than 20 days. It’s like a manner from God. I felt a sea water disturbance and want the Ministry of Environment to quickly investigate it before it is too late’’
The above was further confirmed when a team carried out a field trip to feel the environment and communities along the coastline. And the team came out with what it termed, “Findings of preliminary investigation into the incidence of dead fishes on Bonny waterways ’’. Confirming the incident, the report indicated that only one particular kind of fish “popularly known as Broke Marriage and called Onah in Ibani dialect is affected by the incident and that the fish were seen lying dead and littered along the shoreline.’’ That report has been widely circulated on social media, especially via WhatsApp. According to the report, the investigation was embarked upon on Wednesday/ Thursday, 15th and 16th April, 2020.
HOMEF visited Finima fishing setlement in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State to see the reality of the incidence and its impact on the community people. The people reported that most of the dead fish was a particular species of croaker which is popularly known as Broke Marriage. The dead fish littered the shoreline all the way from Light House to Ifoko on the boundary between Bonny and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State. The incident started in Bonny in the last week of March, taking the fishers by surprise.
The community persons interviewed disclosed that the incident impacts their health and affects their livelihood-reduces business for them as they cannot sell the dead fish and the smell of the dead fish seems to scare away the live ones. According to a fisher, Helen Brown, sale of fish is affected as people are now very suspicious and refuse to buy fish.
Another fisher, Effiong sees the incident as manner from God, being that they come out daily to find fish washed ashore. According to a community leader and secretary of the Waralapo Council of Finima, some community persons have dried the dead fish for consumption. It was said that efforts have been made to sensitize the people and prevent them from consuming or selling that species of fish but people are still picking up the fish. [see full video report on the Bonny experience here: https://youtu.be/2yIdB1Wldm0 ]
The leader of the FishNet Alliance in Akwa Ibom state, Rev Sam Ayadi, during a telephone interview reported that dead fish was sighted littering the popular Ibeno waterfront also known as the Qua Ibo River on Friday 17th April, 2020. They have been advised not to eat or sell the dead fish as the cause of death is still not known, hence be poisonous.
In a related development, the Ikot Abasi LGA chapter chairman of Artisanal Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), Hon. Godwin king in a related development reported the incidence in a title: My Story on Oceanic Fish – Massacre across the Atlantic. He noted with apt concern that the littering of dead fish along the shorelines of fishing communities in Akwa Ibom state is alarming. According to him, “since Monday 13th April 2020, in Ikot Abasi LGA, Utaewa – water way, Okopedi Ete, Jaja – creek, Urua – Essien Etuk, Opobo town, Queen’s town, down – below, all of the above mentioned coast-lines were sighted with dead fishes (broke – marriage, others) also at Eastern Obolo neighborhood it was equally noticed and reported with apt concern, at its estuary from territorial water – hinterland, adjunct; of imo river estuary, that emptied from Andoni river, Ogoni river of our neighboring Rivers state. The popular opinions & observations are that it is the effect of a pollution caused by multinational operators offshore and NOSDRA is yet to ascertain what happened from its joint investigation visit to the affected areas”.
Reactions by Other Stakeholders
It is on record that since the strange phenomenon came to the Bayelsa Environment, there have been reactions in the conventional media [print and electronic] and on social media. Renowned environmentalist and Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Rev. [Dr.] Nnimmo Bassey expressed serious concerns, stating that when our coastlines become littered with dead fish, this is a clear indication of toxicity of the rivers which can raise public health concerns if consumed. “The dead fish are smoking guns for a serious crime” , he said. He stated: By now NOSDRA should have let the public know what exactly the cause of the incident is especially since there are oil platforms not too far from the coasts. This matter should not be swept under the carpet because we are focusing attention on the coronavirus pandemic”
A group visited the Commissioner for Environment in Rivers State on Friday, 17th April and made presentation/demand concerning the incidence of dead fish along the coastline in Rivers State, especially as it concerns the livelihood and health of the people.
On Saturday, 18th April, 2020 the Akassa Development Foundation [ADF] went with NOSDRA to Akassa environment for an on-the-spot assessment on the environment of some affected communities in Akassa clan. The Agency released a press statement on 21 April 2020 stating that samples of water, sediments and the dead fish have been taken for analysis.
Any certainty about source of pollutant or cause of death of fish in the region?
What is certain about this investigation is the fact that fish are dying in large numbers and are washed ashore the Atlantic Coastline. It has also been confirmed that the strange phenomenon which was first experienced in Ogulagha kingdom in Burutu local government area of Delta state is currently being experienced in three local government areas of Bayelsa State [Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw and Brass LGAs], Bonny and Andoni LGAs of Rivers State and most recently in Ibeno LGA of Akwa Ibom state. Also confirmed is that some persons are picking up the dead fish and taking them home for consumption or to process and sell to unsuspecting members of the public. One major fact corroborated by different sources; from SMS, ERA/FoEN Field Report, the Bonny Research Team Report and our visit to Finima is that only one species of fish [identified as Onah by Ijaws] and commonly referred to as Broke Marriage is dying and washed ashore and most of them with open mouths. These are sure facts about the incident.
However, it is difficult to actually say the cause of death and it’s source. As it stands, all the documented comments in Delta State and written statement by Surveyor Akene copiously alleged that Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] is responsible. In fact, Akene went further to say that Shell used chemicals to conceal an oil spill on the company’s Forcados Pipeline while others just mentioned chemicals. Even though it was stated that the leadership of Ogulagha kingdom and Commissioner for Environment in Delta State has held meetings with Shell on the subject matter; it is still unclear as to the true position of things, especially in terms of responsibility.
While Shell is being accused in Delta State, some persons in Chevron host communities are alleging that Chevron is responsible and they even threatened shutting down the company’s operations .
Unless a well-coordinated official investigation is carried out to ascertain the immediate and remote cause of death of the identified species of fish, allegations made without supporting evidence would make the identification of culprit elusive; especially if it is not a natural occurrence.
What could be responsible for only one type of fish dying and the same experience in the littoral states?
The assumption that the source of pollutant is within the Ogulagha environment in Burutu local government area of Delta State remains very strong as that was where the death of fishes and allegation against Shell started in February, 2020. And, spread is possible since it happened in a living and moving body of water, the Sea. However, the pollutant and negative impact on the marine environment took time to spread kilometers from the source due to the ebbing and full tide current of the Sea water flowing towards one side and returning to the other later. If the current of water had been just a one-way flow, the spread would have been faster in the direction of the flow. Two examples of one-way flowing current of natural bodies of water are the Taylor Creek and Kolo Creek in Bayelsa State. In these Creeks, water flows from upstream to downstream- one-way.
It is left for scientific investigation to determine why only one particular type of fish is affected by this incident. The selective nature of whatever is responsible for the death of this species of fish is another mystery. One explanation given by a local fisher folk is that, this particular fish occupies the lower section or portion of the sea/ocean. According to him, that is why fisher folks who target this fish [the Onah] have to set the fishing nets down enough. If this is true and the fish is dying from any particular pollutant then that pollutant must be spreading at a lower level, near the sea bed where this fish species is naturally found. in the water.
Conclusion
Shell is the number 1 suspect on this matter and Ogulagha kingdom environment has been identified as first place where the strange phenomenon was experienced in February, 2020. This conclusion on Shell is predicated on the several reports on the issue. Several testimonies have pointed at Shell as having discharged toxic chemicals into the waterways of Ogulagha kingdom.
With the kind of concern shown by the public, especially on social media and comments by environmentalists on conventional media, it is hoped that if it is sustained with more pressure from NGOs, it would goad the authorities to come out and do what is expected. Awareness on the subject matter is increasing, especially as regards public health concerns in terms of selling and consumption of affected fish.
Apart from the preliminary report from Bonny, there has been no independent confirmation that this strange incidence has also been experienced in Ondo State, the next littoral state. But it is very possible and there is need for confirmation or to alert the authorities and fisher folks out there to watch out.
We note that the Ogulagha kingdom leadership should not personalize or privatise this matter as environmental issues are beyond individuals and communities and especially when this incident has spread and impacted other ecosystems with far reaching health and livelihood implications.
We demand that:
[1] Relevant stakeholders, especially Environmental and Health related groups [NGOs] put pressure on the authorities to see this as a major disaster and ensure that the cause of the pollution is quickly detected and the public is duly alerted.
[2] There should be adequate sensitization to raise the awareness of people especially in environments experiencing this phenomenon to ensure that the dead fish are not consumed or sold in view of the possible health implications
[3] Other littoral states, like Akwa Ibom and Ondo should be properly informed to watch out for signs of the strange death of fish.
- The true cause of the incidence should not be concealed but be revealed, addressed and let the perpetuators be duly penalized.
We encourage the affected communities to remain peaceful and follow all legal means available.
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