Residents of Kpean community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have demanded the immediate cleanup of their environment and the decommissioning of oil facilities following renewed concerns over oil spill incidents in the area.
The call came during an environmental monitoring and evidence gathering training organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation in collaboration with community leaders and residents.
The training followed a recent oil spill at Well-Head 14 operated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited, further worsening conditions in a community already burdened by years of environmental degradation.
Participants expressed frustration that despite assurances of urgent intervention by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, during a visit on December 22, 2025, no concrete remedial action has been taken months after.
Residents noted that Kpean has suffered repeated oil spills dating back to operations previously managed by Shell between 2000 and 2021, with ongoing incidents under NEPL continuing to pollute farmlands and water sources.
“These spills have destroyed not only our environment but also our livelihoods, peace of mind, and the future prospects of our community,” a participant said.
At the training, community members were equipped with practical tools to document environmental damage and human rights violations, with emphasis on holding both corporate operators and government institutions accountable.
“Systematic evidence gathering is essential for building credible cases against polluters,” a facilitator told participants, noting that community-led monitoring helps capture realities that may otherwise be “unreported or misrepresented.”
Participants also stressed the need for stronger collaboration with the media, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, and legal practitioners to amplify advocacy efforts, while calling for the inclusion of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups in the push for environmental justice.
“We must organise and stand together as a unified community, speaking with one voice to demand the change we deserve,” another participant said.
The community called for the immediate and comprehensive cleanup of the polluted environment in line with Nigerian laws and international best practices, as well as the decommissioning of all oil well-heads in the area to safeguard public health and protect the ecosystem.
They also urged federal and state authorities to enforce environmental laws, particularly those requiring Free, Prior and Informed Consent in oil exploration, insisting that communities must be actively involved in decisions affecting their land.
Participants further called for stricter regulatory oversight to ensure oil companies are held accountable for environmental pollution.
Highlighting the role of the media, speakers at the training urged journalists to sustain public attention on the crisis.
“Media practitioners must ask critical questions about the activities of oil companies and government agencies, and educate the public on what is at stake for frontline communities like Kpean,” a resource person said.
With no visible cleanup efforts underway, residents say they remain determined to document the impact of the spills and press for action.
“Evidence gathering is our primary tool for mounting effective resistance against those responsible for our suffering,” a participant added.
