The Okolobiri community of Gbarain kingdom in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State has cried out over continuous gas flares in the nearby Gbarain-Ubie Integrated oil and gas processing plant reported to be over 24 hours.
TheHintsNews reports that the plant flaring gas used to be operated by Shell but now operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company since Shell’s divestment.
However following a call from the community on the 11th of June 2025, EDEN’s field monitoring team led by its Deputy Executive Director, Alagoa Morris and a journalist, visited the community on Saturday, 14 June, 2025.
EDEN’s Media Manager, Elvira Jordan in a statement issued Monday said the team observed that the sailing gas was said to be on and off and active for 24 hours every day with its bright light and vibrations putting the community on edge.
It was also observed that the street Solar lights with panels facing the direction of the gas flare goes off once the volume of the flare increases to certain levels.
Speaking to the visiting team, Paramount Ruler of the community, Judah Sukuruowei noted that the community was in a constant state of shock due to the vibrations coming from the gas flaring plant.
He said: “Recently we have been experiencing serious vibration because of the gas flare in the neighbouring Obunagha community. The flaring volume is too high. The gas flaring is affecting the buildings in the environment.
“Our people rely on our river water but now we don’t have water to drink because it is polluted by gas. There is no public portable water. Health wise, we are affected; as we are inhaling the noxious gases it is affecting our health.
“The rate of death has increased in our environment too; even very young children are dying unexpected deaths. It is the gas flaring that is affecting the environment; seriously.”
Also speaking on the issue, an indigene of the community, Bright Esyine decried the implications of such continuous gas flaring on the climate and the environment of the surrounding communities.
He added that houses in the community are being cracked up due to the vibrations from the gas flaring plant.
Esyine noted: “We all know, it’s a global fact that when gas is flared it actually results in emission of greenhouse gases. It is a very serious problem, it’s really affecting the lives and the wellbeing of the people in neighbouring communities; especially like Okolobiri community.
“Recently we have had a very intense and increased gas flaring resulting in disturbing noise and vibrations to the extent that it is causing walls cracking and destruction of roofs of buildings.
“Also, if you look at the immediate environment close to the gas flare you discover that the vegetation there is like they were set on fire. It seems this is a deliberate action by the company.”
The Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Wiliams, faulted the relevant monitoring agencies including the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) who have failed to monitor such issues to call the airing companies to order.
He, therefore, demanded that the federal Ministry of Environment, through NESREA; should take up the matter with a view to addressing this lingering issue.
Wiliams added that the relevant agencies of the Bayelsa state government, especially the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Mineral Resources; should step in on behalf of affected communities to ensure the concerns are addressed as soon as possible.