Residents and traders along Punch Road in Imgbi, Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have accused a newly established Rainoil gas plant of worsening the condition of the road, alleging that water from the facility has been spilling onto the road.
The residents claimed that the absence of an adequate drainage system around the facility had caused water to spread across the road, resulting in potholes and creating difficulties for pedestrians, motorists and traders.
A businessman in the area, Mr Imo Charles Chikezie, said the gas plant, which commenced operations earlier this year, lacked proper drainage to channel water away from its premises.
Chikezie said it was disappointing that a facility of the size of the gas plant did not have adequate drainage, alleging that water accumulating within the premises had no outlet other than the road.
“It is disheartening that a gas plant of this magnitude does not have adequate drainage. Whatever water comes into the place has nowhere to pass except through the road, thereby spoiling Punch Road,” he said.
He said the matter had previously been reported to the company through the sanitation authority and the Amarata community, urging the Rainoil management, government and relevant authorities to intervene before the road deteriorated further.
Chikezie suggested that the company construct a drainage system linking its premises to the existing government drainage network to prevent further damage to the road.
Also speaking, Mr Ahanna Cyril, a caretaker and businessman in the area, said residents began noticing water emerging from the ground after the company completed construction work.
According to Cyril, the persistent waterlogging had affected businesses in the area by discouraging customers from visiting and had contributed to the deterioration of the road.
Read Also: rivers-assembly-gives-second-reading-to-2026-budget
“Even when it is sunny, the road remains wet and everywhere is filled with water. When cars pass, the water splashes on people. We have called the manager and tried to see how they could put a drainage here, but to no avail,” he said.
Cyril appealed to the government to intervene and ensure that the company provides a drainage system capable of channeling the water into the existing drainage network.
Another trader, Chinyere Ejike, said the situation was also affecting her business, as some customers were reluctant to pass through the affected portion of the road.
Ejike said residents had complained to the company’s management and appealed to the government to intervene by ensuring that an appropriate drainage system was provided.
Rainoil: Water Coming From Underground
Responding to the allegations, the branch manager of the Rainoil facility, Engr. Joe said the water was not being discharged from the gas plant but was coming from underground.
Joe explained that the area had previously been a dumpsite and was later reclaimed, adding that the nature of the terrain contributed to the presence of underground water.
“The water is coming out from the ground, not particularly from rain or oil. Our sprinkler is not on, so we cannot manage water that is coming out from the ground,” he said.
The manager acknowledged that the community had raised concerns about the situation, saying he had reported the matter to his line managers for further assessment.
He said the company’s engineers would inspect the area to determine possible solutions, adding that Rainoil would seek ways to address the problem despite its position that the source of the underground water was beyond its control.
Joe further assured that the company remained committed to avoiding activities that could inconvenience members of its host community.
