A delegation from the Alakiri community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has visited the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) over a lingering oil spill in the area..
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), said the visit was to formally brief the advocacy organisation on the ongoing oil spill and fire incident at a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) facility.
According to the community leader, the incident which he described as an environmental disaster has persisted for long since February 24, 2023, noting that they decided to engage the organization as a vocal advocate on oil spills, human rights, and environmental justice issues in the Niger Delta.
The 3-man delegation confirmed that the incident occurred at Oil Well 9, which produces both crude oil and gas, and has continued unabated for over three years.
“For over three years, the people of Alakiri and Okrika have lived with fire and poison to their environment and atmosphere in their backyard. Oil Well 9 has been spilling and burning since February 24, 2023. This is not just an environmental disaster it is a human and environmental rights violation and a national security failure and threat.”
They invited YEAC-Nigeria to visit the site of the disaster to see things for itself and further amplify their call for the authorities to urgently address the impact of the spillage and inferno on the people and environment over the years.
In his response, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface
Executive Director, YEAC-Nigeria, said the organisation is already aware of the catastrophe, will ensure the community gets environmental justice.
“NNPCL and regulators must end the inferno, clean up the mess, and compensate the community in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 after a Join Investigation Visit (JIV) and determination of the cause of the incident. A little negligence, as suspected on the well located inside the river area has been burning and destroying the livelihoods of members of the community. A little action can save this ugly situation.” Dr. Fyneface said.
*YEAC-Nigeria will escalate this matter to NNPCL, NOSDRA, and the National Assembly. We stand with the people of Alakiri and Okrika to ensure the protection of their environment and for justice to prevail.” He assured.
