Delta State Communities Demand Justice Over Oil Spill, Petition Nigerian Government

Delta State Communities Demand Justice Over Oil Spill, Petition Nigerian Government

Riverine communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, have taken a bold step by petitioning the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) over the alleged negligence of the Nigerian Pipelines Storage Company Limited (NPSC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in cleaning up a devastating oil spill.

The oil spill, which occurred on August 10, 2024, from NPSC/NNPCL's Escravos to Warri crude oil truckline at Atanba in Gbaramatu Kingdom, has severely impacted several communities, including Oporoza, Okpele-Ama/Tebujor, Ikpokpo, Opuedebubo, Opuede, Atanba, Ogbotu, Okerenkokogbene, Gan-Ama Zion, Kala-Ikpokpo, and Maike-Ama.

The communities claim that NPSC/NNPC failed to report the spill within the required 24-hour timeframe and instead repaired the spill point without conducting a joint investigation visit (JIV) or cleanup. This action, they argue, is in violation of the provisions of sections 6(2) and 6(3) of the NOSDRA Act.

Furthermore, the communities allege that the use of unapproved dispersant by NPSC/NNPC has exacerbated environmental damage and impacted livelihoods, farm crops, and aquatic life. The petitioners also expressed worry that NPSC is frustrating efforts to conclude the JIV and take remedial actions.

According to the petition, signed by the communities' counsel, Eric Omare, on behalf of community representatives, NPSC/NNPC's conduct is in violation of the NOSDRA Act. The communities are seeking immediate sanctions against NPSC/NNPCL, citing these violations.

The petition demands daily damages payment for failure to report and clean up the spill, amounting to N500,000 and N1,000,000 respectively, from August 10, 2024, until compliance. This, they believe, will serve as a deterrent to other corporate violators in the oil and gas industry.

The communities also urge NNPCL/NPSC to clean up impacted areas and provide fair compensation to affected communities. The petition, which was copied to the MD, NPSC, the Zonal Head, NOSDRA Warri zonal office, the Area Manager, NPSC, Ekpan, and the zonal Director, Delta State Ministry of Environment, Warri, highlights the need for accountability and adherence to environmental regulations.

Sequel to their public protest, officials of NOSDRA, NPSC, and community representatives visited the site on September 2, 2024. However, upon arrival, it was discovered that NPSC had repaired the spill point without a JIV and buried it. The JIV team decided to excavate the spill point to determine the actual situation within a week.

The JIV into the spill incident remains inconclusive, with an agreement to wrap up within a week. However, that deadline expired on September 9, 2024, and despite multiple attempts by the affected communities to contact NPSC officials, the JIV remains unfinished.

The incomplete JIV has hindered efforts to determine the full extent of the damage and implement necessary remedial actions. As a result, community members can no longer fish to earn a living and are suffering from gas suffocation, health hazards, and polluted water.

The affected communities await a prompt response and resolution to this environmental disaster.