Residents of several communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, located in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, have expressed deep concern over an oil spill that allegedly originated from the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Limited (NPSC)/NNPC Escravos to Warri crude oil truckline.
The affected communities—Oporoza, Okpele-Ama/Tebujor, Ikpokpo, Opuedebubo, Opuede, Atanba, Ogbotu, Okerenkokogbene, Gan-Ama Zion, Kala-Ikpokpo, and Maike-Ama—reported that the spill, which occurred on August 10, 2024, at Atanba, has caused significant damage to their land, waterways, aquatic life, fishing gear, and drinking water sources.
In a protest letter sent to various authorities, including the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and other relevant officials, the communities voiced their dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled. The letter, obtained by SaharaReporters and written by the communities’ legal representative, Eric Omare, criticizes the oil companies for neglecting the affected areas.
According to the communities, they immediately reported the spill to NPSC/NNPC pipeline surveillance workers on August 11, 2024, requesting a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV). However, the communities allege that instead of taking swift action, the NPSC/NNPC ignored their pleas and failed to report the incident to NOSDRA. They also claim that the company dispatched its pipeline contractor to repair the damaged pipeline without conducting the required JIV.
The letter states: “Our Clients assert that your company has failed, refused, and neglected to report the spillage to NOSDRA as per the internationally accepted standards in the oil and gas industry. Instead of coordinating a Joint Investigation Visit to determine the cause of the spill, your company sent its contractor to begin repairs without following proper protocol.”
The fast-moving river current has reportedly exacerbated the situation, spreading the spill across several communities in the Gbaramatu Kingdom. The residents continue to suffer the ongoing effects of the contamination.
The affected communities are now calling on NPSC/NNPC and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough Joint Investigation Visit to determine the cause of the spill, implement a clean-up, and provide necessary relief materials. They are also demanding an assessment of the damage and fair compensation for their losses.
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