There is anxiety in the Ahoada part of Rivers State, following a fresh oil spill in the community.
The spill is said to be oozing from two points in Akinima town in Ahoada West LGA in a facility believed to be owned by Oando.
The spillage reportedly occurred on Monday from a six-inch pipeline. It is said to be still flowing, with the affected area yet to be clamped.
The incident was corroborated by officials of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria).
The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the organisation received a distressing report from youths under the auspices of their Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS) of the Youth Volunteers Network in Akinima, about a fresh oil spillage from an OANDO pipeline.
Details were not yet out as of the time of filing this report, but YEAC described the as incident a stark reminder of the recurring oil spillage issues plaguing the environment and communities in the Niger Delta region.
“We condemn this act of alleged vandalism and urge the relevant authorities especially the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and OANDO, the facility operator to take immediate action to contain the spill and prevent further damage to the ecosystem.
“The continuous oil spillage in our region is not only detrimental to the fragile environment but also poses a significant threat to the health and livelihood of the local communities,” it noted.
The group, which has one million youths under its surveillance, reiterated its call on OANDO and the regulatory agencies, including the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to immediately carry out a joint investigation visit to the spillage site in Akinima; immediately clamp the pipeline to stop further spillage; and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the spillage.
YEAC called on the authorities to invoke relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021; and to implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
The group not only promised to continue monitoring the situation but also pledged to advocate the rights of the affected community while the perpetrators should be brought to book if the JIV report confirms third party interference.
Calls have continued on the Federal government to launch another oil clean up scheme of the Niger Delta region, comprising nine states. Sources estimated that the exercise would cost not less than $12 billion.