“Water Everywhere, No Drainage!” — Residents Raise Fresh Alarm Over Rainoil Gas Plant In Yenagoa

By Passman Akpos

YENAGOA, BAYELSA — Residents, traders and business operators along Punch Road, Imgbi, Amarata, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have raised concerns over persistent waterlogging and the deteriorating condition of the road, alleging that a newly established Rainoil gas plant is contributing to the problem.

The residents claimed that inadequate drainage around the facility has allowed water to spread onto the road, creating potholes, making movement difficult and affecting businesses operating within the area.

However, Rainoil has disputed the allegation, saying the water is not being discharged from its facility but is emerging from underground because of the nature of the terrain.

A businessman in the area, Mr. Imo Charles Chikezie, said the gas plant, which commenced operations earlier in the year, lacked adequate drainage infrastructure to properly channel water away from its premises.

Chikezie said it was concerning that a facility of such magnitude could operate without a drainage system connected to the existing government drainage network.

«“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 brought to the attention of the company through the sanitation authority and the Amarata community.

Chikezie urged Rainoil, the Bayelsa State Government and relevant agencies to intervene before the condition of the road worsens.

He suggested that the company should construct an appropriate drainage system linking the facility to the existing government drainage infrastructure.

Also speaking, a caretaker of a building and businessman in the area, Mr. Ahanna Cyril, said residents began noticing persistent water emerging from the ground after construction work on the facility was completed.

According to Cyril, the situation has created difficulties for businesses in the area, as some customers now avoid the affected portion of the road.

“Even when it is sunny, the road is 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 investigate the situation and, if necessary, require the company to provide a drainage system capable of directing the water into the existing drainage network.

Another trader, Chinyere Ejike, said the persistent water had also affected her business.

Ejike said some customers were reluctant to pass through the affected section because of the muddy and waterlogged condition of the road.

She appealed to the government and the company to find an urgent solution to the problem by providing adequate drainage around the facility.

Rainoil: Water Is Coming From Underground

Responding to the allegations, the Rainoil branch manager, Engr. Joe, rejected claims that the company was discharging water onto Punch Road.

According to him, the water is coming from underground and is not being generated by the company’s operations.

He explained that the location was formerly a dumpsite and had undergone reclamation before the gas plant was established.

“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 branch manager acknowledged that residents had raised concerns about the situation and said he had already brought the matter to the attention of his line managers for further assessment.

He said the company’s engineers would inspect the area to establish the cause and determine possible measures to address the problem.

Although maintaining that the source of the water was beyond the company’s control, Joe said Rainoil would nevertheless seek a practical solution to the concerns raised by residents.

He assured the community that the company was committed to avoiding activities that could inconvenience its host community and would not ignore legitimate concerns raised by residents.

The dispute has now placed renewed attention on the need for proper drainage and environmental assessment around the facility, as residents fear that continued waterlogging could further damage Punch Road and disrupt commercial activities in the area.