By Tina Amanda
The residents of Rumuewhara, a densely populated community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on August 29, 2024, woke to find their environment submerged in crude oil.
The spill was traced to a corroded underground pipeline owned by oil giant SHELL.q
An investigative team from Pilex Centre, a civil society organization, attributed the spill to aging infrastructure, noting the people of the Niger Delta continue to bear the brunt of environmental pollution despite numerous environmental protection laws.
Courage Nsirimvo, Coordinator of Pilex Centre, called on SHELL to deploy a technical team to address what is quickly escalating into an environmental emergency, warning that the spill’s impact raises serious concerns for both the local community and the wider Niger Delta region.
A local resident, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration, stressing that the underground pipes were installed over 60 years ago and have severely deteriorated, requiring immediate replacement.
“The spill has continued unabated for several days, wreaking havoc on the local ecosystem and the livelihoods of the community, which depends heavily on farming,” the resident added.
A similar oil spill has been reported in the Rumuoduwere community, Elelenwo, Rivers State, on August 21, 2024, caused by an aging pipeline owned by SHELL. The incident has sparked urgent calls from community leaders, Pilex Centre, and other civil society organizations for immediate action.
Residents of Rumuoduwere lamented that repeated oil spills have contaminated their land and water supply, rendering access to potable drinking water impossible. The environmental and health risks have left the community in a dire situation.
In response, Pilex Centre has called for the suspension of operations by SHELL and other multinational oil companies (MNOCs) until expired pipelines are replaced and the region is thoroughly cleaned. The organization also called for the establishment of special environmental hazard diagnosis and treatment centers in affected communities.
Pilex Centre further demanded a comprehensive underground assessment by SHELL and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to determine the extent of the spill and its impacts on the environment and public health.
