Constance Meju
An alarm on the silent destruction of the lives of members of oil pollution-impacted communities has been raised following a careful science-based research conducted by Pilex, a People’s Advocate non-governmental organization committed to human and environmental justice.
The study assessed the health impact of hydrocarbon extraction among adult residents in four oil host communities -Ibaa, Rumuekpe and Rukpokwu communities in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Target population of the research were community members aged 18 and above who are resident in the communities and 100 persons representing women, men and youth in the target communities participated in the study.
Blood samples, water sources, soil samples, and air quality tests were materials for the study.
Findings revealed that long-term oil pollution evident in the communities mainly from the major oil companies with contributions from the activities of illegal oil operators (kpo fire), has damaged both the ecosystem and the livelihood practices of the people whereas the social and economic gains from hosting oil are either absent or in poor states in those communities.
“Based on the findings from this study, several significant insights into the socio economic and perceptions of health impacts of oil exploration in the communities have emerged. Firstly, regarding the socio-economic status before oil exploration
(Research Question 1), the data revealed a generally positive outlook among respondents. They recalled abundant aquatic and agricultural resources, contributing to a robust local economy.
However, infrastructure indicators such as electricity, water, healthcare, and education showed mixed perceptions, indicating some deficiencies that were present even before the onset of oil exploration.
This suggests that while natural resources were plentiful, essential services were not uniformly accessible, laying a foundation for evaluating changes post-oil exploration.
“Secondly, the socio-economic status since oil exploration began
(Research Question 2) showed a more nuanced picture. While there were perceived improvements in some areas like the construction of schools and tarred roads, other critical aspects such as aquatic resources and essential services like electricity and drinking water did not show substantial improvements.
This finding aligns with existing literature highlighting the uneven distribution of benefits from resource extraction projects, where infrastructural gains may not always translate into comprehensive community development”
Worrisome are the findings on the health impact. Their water sources are heavily contaminated with likelihood of serious health consequences while almost all research participants indicated oil in their blood stream. A household, the Princewill family had oil instead of water in their well.
“Thirdly, regarding the perceived health impacts of oil exploration
(Research Question 3), the study uncovered significant concerns among respondents. Many reported negative health impacts, including respiratory issues, fatigue, skin problems, and joint pains, which they attributed to oil exploration activities.
This finding is consistent with literature documenting the health risks associated with oil extraction, such as air and water pollution, noise, and stress-related ailments.
The study’s contribution lies in substantiating these concerns with local data, highlighting the need for rigorous health monitoring and mitigation measures in communities affected by extractive industries.
The results of the physio-chemical analysis of water samples in the communities showed that the water samples have varying degrees of acidity.
These water when consumed by residents of these communities can cause metabolic acidosis which ultimately alters electrolyte balance resulting in impairment in cardiac, kidney and gastrointestinal functions.
“The results further showed that some of the water samples were highly turbid (turbidity is a measure of the degree of cloudiness or opaqueness of water), meaning the water samples were filled with suspended particular matter thus making it unhealthy for consumption. Sadly, some community members continue to consume and use these water for bathing and cooking.
“Although most of water samples were found to contain benzo (a) pyrene, they were within the ATSDR guideline value of 0.0002milligram/litre and WHO guideline value of 0.0007milligram/litre for drinking water.
“However, the benzo (a) pyrene concentration of drinking water samples 002 (Mkpoba Umueche) and 005 (Princewill), were exponentially high, exceeding the WHO drinking water guideline value by 3,380.5 and 3,328 times, respectively.
“It is important to emphasize that instead of water to come out of the borehole in Princewill’s Compound (Ibaa water sample 005), it was purely crude oil.
“The pollution with Benzo (a) pyrene was further confirmed by the presence of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria and fungi, total hydrocarbon bacteria and fungi (which are usually present in places where hydrocarbon is found). this is because these microorganisms break down hydrocarbons for their metabolic activities.
“The presence of these hydrocarbons poses a great risk to the health of residents of these communities because the human system has the capacity to bio-accumulate toxic substances, especially hydrocarbons and heavy metals.
“Bio accumulation simply means storing these harmful substances gradually until they reach concentrations at which point they can exert deleterious effects on the health of humans.
“This unique characteristic of the human cell is the reason why it takes several years before the carcinogenic, immunogenic and mutagenic effects of PAHs manifest even in the midst of exposure to pollution.
“Therefore, it is expected that all those who have been consuming water from the sources from where these samples were collected will, in the years to come, begin to manifest the negative effects of PAHs on their health if they are not experiencing it already.”
The study revealed evidence of uneven and inefficient handling of resources from oil in communities further compounding the social problems and obstructing development.
Recognizing the urgent need for action to save lives in the communities, the study called for an immediate health audit in oil impacted communities by both the federal and Rivers State government, clean up and remediation of the polluted areas and strict enforcement of standard operational practices by government regulatory bodies.
“Health audit should be carried out immediately by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health to ascertain the extent of impact of hydrocarbon pollution in these communities with a view to providing the needed healthcare interventions.
There should be immediate remediation of all polluted sites in the affected communities by the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP).
Potable drinking water should be provided by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for the affected communities with all the urgency that it deserves.
SPDC and the Federal Government of Nigeria should provide 24hour security for all oil facility and installation to forestall further third party interference of its facilities immediately.
“The Federal Government and its joint venture partners should increase the stake of oil-bearing communities in the business of oil and gas exploration as a sustainable means of ensuring peace, development and security of its facilities in the communities.
“On the economic side, the study recommended an upgrade of community stake in the oil companies\host communities arrangement, and vocational trainings for community members by both the oil companies and government to make up for lost livelihood sources.
“The Federal Government and its Joint Venture partners should increase the stake of oil-bearing communities in the business of oil and gas exploration as a sustainable means of ensuring peace, development and security of its facilities in the communities.
“SPDC and the Federal Government of Nigeria should carryout vocational training for youths of the affected communities with a view to giving them alternative livelihood opportunities as soon as possible.”
Concluding, the research called for a holistic approach to the management of oil resources and adoption of best operational activities as in advanced countries where oil extraction also takes place
“One of the key findings of this study is the fact that even the community members now perceive that the activities of oil and gas exploration within their communities have negatively impacted their health.
“But by far the most intriguing of all the findings was the presence of benzo (a) pyrene in the blood samples of community members at concentrations far beyond what one would have anticipated.
“We believe without a shadow of doubt that if autopsies are conducted in the affected communities of all deaths, it may be discovered that most of the causes of death may be directly or indirectly related to hydrocarbon pollution.
“The findings call for holistic approaches to resource management that prioritize community well-being alongside economic gains, ensuring sustainable development in oil-rich regions.
“The researchers suggested that, “Future research could build upon these findings by exploring long-term impacts and integrating community perspectives into policy and decision-making processes.”
