Another Crude Oil Spill Hits Rivers Community
Just days after a crude oil spill was reported in Oshika Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, a similar incident has occurred in nearby Ikata Community.
The fresh spill was discovered early Monday, May 19, 2025, along a pipeline right of way managed by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the current operator of facilities previously owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited.
Confirming the incident, Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, suggested that the spill may be the result of third-party interference.
“Our volunteers alerted the Advocacy Centre to the spill and suspect it was caused by third-party interference,” Fyneface stated. “However, this remains unconfirmed pending an official joint investigation led by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) at the spill site in Oshika.”
The Advocacy Centre has called on NOSDRA to promptly conduct a joint investigation and enforce the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, to hold those responsible accountable.
Additionally, the group urged the agency to ensure that Renaissance Africa quickly seals the spill point to prevent further environmental damage and protect local ecosystems.
