Communities in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, located in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Limited (NPSC) over damages caused by an oil spill earlier this year.
In a letter dated December 11, 2024, the aggrieved host communities gave NPSC a seven-day ultimatum to pay compensation for the destruction of farmlands and other livelihoods. They also demand the immediate cleanup of the polluted environment.
If NPSC fails to comply, the communities have vowed to take to the streets in mass protests, which could disrupt oil operations in the area.
The oil spill, which occurred on August 10, 2024, has caused significant damage to the environment and the economic activities of the affected communities.
Seven-Day Deadline Issued
The host communities, which include Oporoza, Okpele-Ama/Tebujor, Ikpokpo, and several others, have made it clear that their patience is running thin. In their letter to the Managing Director of NPSC, they expressed their frustration with the company’s lack of response since the initial spill.
“Enough is enough,” stated community leaders in the letter, which was signed by several prominent figures, including Godwin Fibade of Oporoza, Lucky Bebenimibo of Okpele-Ama/Tebujor, and Elisah Odudu of Ikpokpo.
According to the communities, NPSC’s officials, along with representatives from the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), visited the spill site twice—on September 2 and November 18, 2024. However, the company failed to reach any resolution or open up the point of spillage for further investigation, as had been agreed upon.
“Your company has refused, neglected, and failed to follow due process by concluding the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV), paying compensation for damages, and cleaning up the polluted environment,” the letter states.
The communities’ solicitor, Eric Omare, emphasized that the ultimatum is a last-ditch effort to force the company into action. “We have been patient, but this delay is unacceptable. The damage is real, and the community cannot continue to suffer in silence,” Omare said.
Community Leaders Demand Immediate Action
The leaders of the affected communities are united in their demand for swift action from NPSC. They insist that the cleanup and compensation process must be completed within seven days, starting from December 11, 2024. If the company does not comply, the communities will resort to mass protests, which they say could disrupt NPSC’s corporate and operational offices.
“The Joint Investigation Visit was supposed to be concluded quickly, but here we are, more than a month later, with no resolution,” said Theophilus Emotimide, a leader from Opuedebubo. “The pollution has destroyed our lands and livelihood, and the company has done nothing to help us.”
In the letter, the communities also included copies for key government and security officials, including the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Delta State commissioners for Oil and Gas, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Asaba.
These measures highlight the seriousness with which the Gbaramatu communities are approaching the issue. They have already engaged with regulatory bodies like NOSDRA and NPSC in the hopes of resolving the matter peacefully.
Government and Security Agencies Involved
The letter, which was sent to multiple government and security agencies, including the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, highlights the broader context of the situation. The involvement of security agencies is seen as a precautionary measure, should the situation escalate.
“The company must understand that this is no longer a small issue,” said Mackson Ode, a community leader from Opuede. “This is about the survival of our people. If the government and security agencies are involved, it means we are serious.”
The communities are not only concerned about the environmental damage caused by the spill but also about the long-term impact on their livelihoods. Many rely on agriculture and fishing, both of which have been severely affected by the contamination.
The Pressure Mounts on NPSC
As the seven-day deadline approaches, the pressure is mounting on NPSC to act. The oil company has yet to release a statement in response to the ultimatum, but the communities are hopeful that their demands will be met.
“We want to resolve this issue amicably, but we are prepared to take further action if necessary,” said Lucky Bebenimibo, one of the community leaders.
The situation has drawn widespread attention to the environmental and social challenges facing oil-producing communities in Nigeria. It also underscores the need for oil companies to take responsibility for the damage caused by their operations, especially in sensitive areas like Gbaramatu.
With the deadline set for December 18, 2024, all eyes are on NPSC to see how it will respond to the demands of the Gbaramatu Kingdom. If the company fails to act, the coming days could see significant unrest in the region.
