A fresh crude oil spill has been reported in Oshika community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident, which occurred early Monday morning, was confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria).
The spill was detected on a pipeline right-of-way operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd, the firm that recently took over Shell Petroleum Development Company’s divested assets in the area.
According to YEAC-Nigeria’s volunteer network, affiliated with the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta and the Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS), the leak is suspected to be the result of third-party interference. However, confirmation awaits a full investigation by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
YEAC-Nigeria’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, has urged NOSDRA to carry out a swift joint investigation into the incident. He called for enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, to ensure accountability and prompt containment of the spill to protect the local environment.
Authorities have yet to release an official response at the time of reporting.
