By Abbas Nazil
A fresh oil spill is currently raging in the Ahoada area of Rivers State, raising serious concerns about environmental damage and risks to local communities.
The spill is reported to be oozing from two points in Akinima town, located in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
The affected facility is believed to be owned by Oando, although full details surrounding the incident are still emerging.
According to reports, the oil spill occurred on Monday from a six inch pipeline and has continued to flow unabated.
As at the time of filing this report, the affected pipeline had not been clamped, allowing crude oil to spread into surrounding areas.
The incident was corroborated by officials of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre Nigeria, who confirmed receiving alerts from the community.
The Executive Director of YEAC Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the organisation was notified through its Crude Oil Spill Alert System operated by youth volunteers in Akinima.
He explained that the alert was raised after youths observed crude oil leaking from an Oando pipeline within the community.
Fyneface described the incident as distressing and indicative of the persistent oil spill challenges confronting the Niger Delta region.
Although the exact cause of the spill has not yet been officially determined, the group suggested that third party interference or vandalism may be responsible.
YEAC Nigeria condemned the alleged act and called on relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent further environmental degradation.
The group specifically urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and Oando, as the facility operator, to immediately contain the spill.
It warned that continuous oil spillage poses severe threats to the fragile ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
The organisation also stressed that oil pollution endangers the health, livelihoods and economic activities of host communities that depend on land and water resources.
YEAC Nigeria, which said it has a surveillance network of about one million youths across the region, reiterated its demands for urgent intervention.
The group called for an immediate joint investigation visit to the spill site involving Oando, NOSDRA and other relevant stakeholders.
It also demanded that the leaking pipeline be clamped without delay to stop further discharge of crude oil.
In addition, YEAC urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the spill and establish responsibility.
The organisation called on regulators to invoke relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 where violations are established.
It also advocated the implementation of stronger preventive measures to reduce recurring oil spill incidents in the region.
YEAC pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely and to advocate for the rights of affected communities.
The group added that if investigations confirm third party interference, those responsible should be identified and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, renewed calls have been made for the Federal Government to launch another comprehensive oil clean up exercise in the Niger Delta.
Sources estimate that such a regional clean up covering the nine Niger Delta states could cost no less than 12 billion dollars.