The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has expressed deep concern over what it describes as a growing wave of oil and gas spillages across several communities in Rivers State and other parts of the Niger Delta.
Reacting on the issue, the Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, warned that the region is witnessing one of its worst pollution episodes following the transfer of oil assets from multinational firms to indigenous operators.
YEAC said the surge in leakages, particularly in Bille Kingdom in Degema LGA, Kpean community in Khana LGA, and Oshi community in Ahoada West LGA, confirms earlier fears that obsolete facilities left behind after divestment would trigger more environmental hazards.
According to the group, Bille Kingdom has recorded persistent gas leakages from multiple points on land and water surfaces for more than six weeks, despite several notifications sent to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
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YEAC warned that the failure of authorities and operators to act urgently poses serious danger to residents, especially during the dry season when inflammable materials could spark a major disaster.
The group also reported a fresh spillage at Oil Well 14 in the Yorla Field, OML 11, Kpean community, an incident it said is more massive than previous occurrences. Another gas leakage was also reported on Wednesday in Oshi community.
YEAC urged the federal government and operators to carry out immediate investigations, replace aging pipelines, compensate affected communities as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, and stop further pollution.
The organisation said it will continue monitoring the situation and supporting community efforts to secure environmental justice.
