Residents in fishing settlements along Nembe Creek say a fresh oil spill has polluted the waterway and interrupted livelihoods in Bayelsa, Nigeria, The Guardian Nigeria reported.
Here's what to know
Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development, or ECARD, said the incident happened at the Nembe Creek field in Bayelsa's Oil Mining Lease 29, which Nembe Exploration & Production Limited operates. According to the group, a barge loading crude from a manifold reportedly ruptured, sending oil into the creek and surrounding mangroves.
During an Aug. 24 visit, observers found crude oil on parts of the creek and on nearby mangrove banks, according to The Guardian Nigeria. Separately, information from Bayelsa's environment ministry and the Nembe Oil and Gas Committee indicated that a joint investigation visit attributed the spill to operational failure.
Agent Waya, the paramount ruler of Nembe Creek communities, said the incident added to hardship in many settlements. He said women from affected communities protested at the facility. They called for relief materials, damage assessments, and compensation after officials allegedly failed to respond promptly to local concerns.
Women leader Ebi Otokolo said the polluted river could no longer be used for fishing, household needs or other livelihood activities. And resident Love Mark said crude had ruined fishing nets and that replacing one net can cost between N150,000 and N170,000 (approximately $113 to $128 using current exchange rates).
More background
The incident is a part of a long history of pollution at Nembe Creek. The field traces back to Shell Petroleum Development Company operations in the 1970s, before Shell sold its interest in 2015 for about $2.5 billion. ECARD said the new spill fits a pattern that also includes notable incidents in 2019 and 2021.
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ECARD said rising tides could carry the oil farther into the mangroves, putting many marine animals that local families rely on at risk. Chief Alagoa Morris, the group's lead field monitor, also said crude could be smelled from a little over a mile away from Nembe Creek during the Aug. 24 site visit.
The damage caused by oil extraction is just one of many issues with using planet-heating fuels.
Coal and natural gas power plants contribute to air and water pollution linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer, and premature death. Households that rely on these fuels can also face higher and more volatile energy costs than communities powered by more abundant resources like sunlight and wind. Industry lobbying delays cleaner, cheaper energy solutions that could better protect families and lower bills as well.
What's being done?
ECARD is urging a rapid, comprehensive cleanup and remediation of Nembe Creek so the ecosystem and fishing livelihoods can recover. The group also said that, as of Aug. 26, neither the total volume spilled nor the full affected area had been clearly established, making independent monitoring especially important.
Residents are also seeking immediate support. Waya said affected communities asked for relief materials within three days because fishing had effectively stopped. Former youth president of the Ewelesuo community, Daukoru Benjaka, said Ewelesuo and its fishing camps should be included in the investigation so nearby communities are not left out of damage assessments.
Where can I learn more?
Unfortunately, this isn't the only recent example of how dirty energy sources are creating health and safety problems for people.
• In Alberta, Canada, residents near wells faced health equity and justice issues as pollution mounted.
• Across oil and gas regions, air pollution worsened asthma and contributed to premature deaths.
• Even as spills disrupt communities, oil again drew investors despite mounting scrutiny.
For communities living with oil and gas development, the costs can stretch beyond cleanup and compensation and create widespread health harms and economic strain.
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