Fear Grips Rivers Communities Over Escalating Well Blowout, Oil Leakages

By Naija Enquirer Staff

Communities across Rivers State are on edge following a disturbing rise in oil and gas leakages, spillages, and wellhead blowouts in several oil-producing areas.

The most alarming incident is a major wellhead blowout in Kpean Community, Khana Local Government Area, where a massive substance suspected to be crude oil has been forcefully spewing from the wellhead and spreading rapidly across the environment.

Sources say the blowout, first noticed days ago, has continued unabated. The affected section of the wellhead has now been reportedly engulfed in flames following the spill, raising fears of a wider environmental disaster.

Residents also report that a leakage into the community river has been ongoing for over a month without any form of intervention from oil and gas regulatory authorities.

Before the current crisis in Kpean, a significant oil spill was recorded in Oshi Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area, followed by another alarming leakage in Bille.

The affected communities are now living in heightened panic. Apart from the choking stench and chemical emissions polluting the air, residents fear an outbreak of fire that could cause widespread destruction.

The distressed communities are calling on the Federal Government, relevant regulatory agencies, and the indigenous oil companies operating the facilities to act swiftly to prevent further harm.

Meanwhile, environmental advocacy group Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has condemned the indigenous oil companies involved, accusing them of taking over facilities with expired pipes and wellheads.

YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Dumnamene Fyneface Dumnamene, said in a statement that the Niger Delta risks suffering even more pollution under the current operators than during the era of multinational oil companies.