Delta State Communities Demand Urgent Action Over Devastating Oil Spill in Gbaramatu Kingdom....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The communities of Oporoza, Okpele-Ama/Tebujor, Ikpokpo, Opuedebubo, Opuede, Atanba, Ogbotu, Okerenkokogbene, Gan-Ama Zion, Kala-Ikpokpo, and Maike-Ama in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, are raising alarms over a significant oil spillage allegedly linked to the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Limited (NPSC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). The spill reportedly occurred on August 10, 2024, along the Escravos to Warri crude oil truckline.

The spill, which was first noticed at Atanba in Gbaramatu Kingdom, has caused extensive damage to the environment, including land, waterways, aquatic life, fishing equipment, and drinking water. This environmental disaster has severely affected the livelihoods of the people in the surrounding communities, who are now demanding immediate action.

Communities Demand Accountability

In a protest letter addressed to several key authorities, including the Group Managing Director of NNPC, the Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and various local government officials, the communities expressed their deep dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled by the oil companies. The letter, sent by the communities’ solicitor, Eric Omare, highlights the negligence displayed by NPSC/NNPC in addressing the spill.

Upon discovering the oil spill, the affected communities promptly reported the incident to the NPSC/NNPC pipeline surveillance workers stationed at Ubafan, near Escravos, on August 11, 2024. They requested a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to assess the extent of the damage and identify the cause. However, the communities allege that NPSC/NNPC ignored their plea for immediate action and failed to report the spill to NOSDRA, as required by industry standards.

Violation of Industry Standards

Instead of following the established protocol of conducting a JIV involving relevant stakeholders, NPSC/NNPC reportedly mobilized its contractor, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, to repair the spill point without involving the affected communities or NOSDRA. This action has further fueled the anger and frustration of the impacted communities.

“Our Clients’ state that contrary to the established internationally acceptable standard in the oil and gas industry, your company has failed/refused and neglected to report the spillage to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit to the site of the spillage to ascertain the cause of the spillage and take necessary steps,” the letter reads.

Call for Immediate Action

The communities are now demanding that NPSC/NNPC and the relevant authorities take swift action to address the spill. They are calling for an immediate Joint Investigation Visit to determine the cause of the spillage, followed by a comprehensive clean-up and remediation of the affected areas. Additionally, they are urging the provision of relief materials for the affected communities and a thorough assessment of the damage to ensure fair compensation.

“The spillage has caused colossal damages to our lands, waterways, fishing materials, drinking water, and aquatic lives. We demand a Joint Investigation Visit comprising officials of NOSDRA, NPSC/NNPC, and affected community representatives. The NPSC/NNPC should provide relief materials to the people of the affected communities and assess the extent of damage for fair compensation,” the letter adds.

The situation remains critical, with the fast-moving river currents spreading the oil spill to neighboring communities within the Gbaramatu Kingdom. The affected communities continue to suffer from the devastating effects of the spillage, and their calls for justice and remediation are growing louder by the day.