May 21, 2025 – A fresh oil spill has wreaked havoc in Oshika Community, located in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, marking the second such incident in the region within two weeks. The spill, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, May 19, 2025, has raised alarm among local residents and environmental advocates, who are calling for urgent action to mitigate its impact.
Details of the Incident
The oil spill was reported along a pipeline operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, specifically the 14-inch Okordia-Rumuekpe Pipeline. According to ME Michael Adande, a spokesperson for the company, the spill originated from an illegal connection on the pipeline. The company has since initiated efforts to isolate the pipeline, aiming to curb further environmental damage. Renaissance Africa Energy is also collaborating with government regulators for a joint investigation, which will be led by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC), confirmed the incident through reports from the organization’s volunteer network. This network, part of the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta, operates under YEAC’s Crude Oil Spill Alert System. Dr. Dumnamene stressed the need for immediate action, urging NOSDRA to apply the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 to hold accountable those responsible and to protect the local ecosystem. “Immediate clamping of the spill point is necessary to mitigate environmental damage and protect the flora and fauna in the area,” he stated.
A Growing Crisis in the Niger Delta
The Oshika spill is part of a long-standing environmental crisis in the Niger Delta, a region that has endured severe degradation from oil spills for over four decades. According to the Rise for Bayelsa campaign, approximately 40 million liters of oil are spilled annually across the Niger Delta, devastating farmlands, water bodies, and local livelihoods. The Guardian reported in 2022 that rural communities in the region, heavily reliant on fishing and farming, have faced an “environmental catastrophe” since international oil companies began operations.
The human toll is equally alarming. A 2012 study cited by The Guardian revealed that oil pollution in the Niger Delta contributed to the deaths of 16,000 babies within their first month of life. The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission’s interim report also highlighted heightened health risks for local communities, including kidney damage and increased incidences of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s due to pollution.
Challenges and Accountability
The Niger Delta’s environmental woes are compounded by systemic issues, including aging infrastructure and illegal activities. Shell, a major operator in the region, has attributed much of the environmental damage to crude oil theft, illegal refining, and sabotage. Meanwhile, a January 2025 report from Nairametrics revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited uncovered 58 illegal refineries and 19 illegal pipeline connections in the Niger Delta in a single week, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Dr. Dumnamene has previously warned of the deteriorating state of oil infrastructure, noting in a March 2025 Daily Post Nigeria interview that more pipeline failures and spills are inevitable without significant upgrades. The recent Oshika spill, following another incident in the same community just weeks prior, highlights the urgency of addressing these systemic failures.
Environmental and Social Impact
The latest spill in Oshika has already begun to destroy farmlands and contaminate water bodies, according to a report by PunchNG on May 20, 2025. The Niger Delta’s vegetation, critical for local ecosystems, has also been heavily impacted over the years. A study from mdpi.com noted that while Landsat satellite data shows degradation following spills, there has been no statistically significant long-term vegetation loss—a small consolation amidst widespread environmental damage.
Local communities continue to bear the brunt of these disasters. Nyinama Amos, a youth leader quoted in The Guardian’s 2022 report, expressed frustration over the lack of accountability: “When we complain, they attach negative labels to us like militants and vandals, to reduce the validity of our complaint.” The recurring spills in Oshika and beyond threaten not only the environment but also the health and livelihoods of residents.
Calls for Action
As the investigation into the Oshika spill unfolds, environmental advocates and community leaders are demanding swift intervention. YEAC’s call for the application of the PIA aims to ensure that companies like Renaissance Africa Energy are held accountable for mitigating the spill’s impact and compensating affected communities. The involvement of NOSDRA in the joint investigation offers hope for a thorough assessment of the spill’s cause—whether due to illegal tampering, as claimed by the operator, or underlying equipment failure.
The Rivers State Police Command, when contacted, stated they had not yet received a report on the incident, according to SP Grace Iringe-Koko, as reported by PunchNG. However, the scale of the spill and its impact on the Oshika community are expected to draw increased attention from both state and federal authorities in the coming days.
A Path Forward
The Oshika oil spill is a stark reminder of the persistent environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta. Addressing this crisis will require a coordinated effort between government agencies, oil companies, and local communities to improve infrastructure, curb illegal activities, and enforce stricter environmental regulations. Until then, communities like Oshika will continue to suffer the devastating consequences of an industry that has long prioritized profit over people and the planet.
Sources: NigeriaInfoPH (X), PunchNG, The Guardian, mcebiscoo.com, Daily Post Nigeria, Nairametrics, mdpi.com
0 Comments