N’Delta communities raise fresh concerns over oil spills, gas leaks

Residents of Niger Delta communities, spanning Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, have expressed growing concerns over the escalating impact of oil spills and gas leaks on their health and natural resources. During the second edition of the People’s Environmental Assembly, held in Port Harcourt, attendees lamented the prevalence of unusual deaths, health issues, and disrupted livelihoods such as fishing and farming.

Precious Ibegwura, a resident of Erema Community in Rivers State, emphasized the community's struggles with environmental degradation and health challenges, demanding justice for the oil companies' actions. Mitema Suoye George from Otuabagi Community in Bayelsa State shared the community's decline following the onset of oil exploration and pollution, also highlighting disruptions to fishing activities and the emergence of early menstruation among women.

Warda Nebani Beryamon, a former youth leader in Ikarama Community, Bayelsa State, described the pollution as alarming, noting the community's high number of oil spills and the prevalence of cancer among residents. Pastor Timothy Agumbiade, from Bille Kingdom in Rivers State, reported numerous oil spills, gas leaks, and related deaths, calling for urgent intervention from authorities to protect residents from the environmental and health hazards.

The convener of We the People, Ken Henshaw, called for a comprehensive environmental audit to address the decades-long crisis and ensure remediation and ecological justice for the Niger Delta communities.