Bayelsa Community in Lamentation Over 24 Hour Gas Flaring.

The local community people in Okolobiri Community of Gbarain Kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have cried out over continuous gas flares in the nearby Gbarain-Ubie Integrated oil and gas processing plant reported to be on 24 hours.

They alerted that it was affecting the health of the people and polluting their lands and water. The community is host to the Bayelsa State Government-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital; with Ogboloma and Obunagha communities as two of its closest neighbours.

Following a call from the community on June 11, 2025, the field monitoring team of the Environmental Defenders Network, EDEN led by Mr. Alagoa Morris, the Deputy Executive Director, and a journalist, visited the community on Saturday, June14, 2025, and were received by Chief Judah Sukuruowei, Paramount ruler of the community.

According to EDEN’s observation, the sailing gas is 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, Chief Sukuruowei stated that the community is in a constant state of shock due to the vibrations coming from the gas flaring plant.

Also speaking on the issue, Mr. Bright Shadrack Esyine, a male indigene of the community, pointed out the implications of such continuous gas flaring on the climate and the environment of the surrounding communities, adding that houses in the community are experiencing cracks due to the vibrations from the gas flaring plant.

On her part, Mrs. Tuaweri Keniwenimo, Women Leader of the community, who noted that international standards for gas flaring are not being followed by the company, lamented that the volume of gas flaring in the community has affected soil quality, crops and farming activities, which has resulted in hardship for the women and children in the community.

Commenting on the issue, Mr. Chima Wiliams, Executive Director of EDEN, stated that in a sane and working country, open gas flaring should not be allowed around residential areas.

He faulted the relevant monitoring agencies including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA which he claimed has failed to monitor such issues to call the errant companies to order.