Stakeholders from the riverine communities of Ikantu, Kunukunuma and Kurutie in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have threatened to shut down the operations of Neconde Energy Limited and its joint venture partner, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, over what they described as "the nonchalant attitude" of the companies concerning a current spill in the area.

The warning was issued in a joint statement during a tour of the oil spill site by members of the impacted communities as represented by Chief Shola Gbofeyin, the Amadiwei of Ikantu community; Comr. Ambrose Timinimi, Secretary General of Ikantu; Comr. Mackson Amakiri, Youth President of Kunukunuma Federated Community; and Comr. Alex Igare, Public Relations Officer of Kurutie Federated Community, on Monday, August 26, 2024.

According to the stakeholders, the spill has been over three days since its detection but nothing has been done by the companies involved to further halt the spill and ameliorate the situation which has negatively affected the economic mainstay of inhabitants of the impacted communities.

Speaking on behalf of other members, Chief Gbofeyin said, "This oil spill has taken place for the past three days before today, being the 26th of August 2024. This oil pipe got burst on August 23rd and NPDC/Neconde are the companies that own the dilapidated pipe. Ikantu community is a host to this place, Odidi II Flow Station; its pipeline links to Jones Creek, central north line."

The Amadiwei further alleged that the company does not seek the welfare of its hosts as they often give no attention to the pipes whose failure, he claimed, has become rampant.

"These pipes leak almost every month. They (the companies) come for sectional repair each time. You can see that the aquatic life here is being destroyed, but they don't care about the settlements. As you can see, fishing activities can no longer take place here as the greenery has been destroyed. Since this spill occurred in this location they are yet to carry out control measures to contain this spill," he claimed.

The stakeholders called on the relevant government agencies to intervene and call Neconde and NPDC to order, especially in providing relief materials to affected families in the impacted communities, failing which they will take action of shutting down their operations.

"We are calling on the Federal Government and its related agencies concerning spills, the state government and other stakeholders to take note of this and address the companies involved.

"The companies should also deliver relief materials for indigenes of the impacted communities of Ikantu, Kunukunuma, Kurutie and every other communities that this spill is going to affect because the spill flows with the tide. As these tides are flowing and ebbing back, it will spread the spill over many communities thereby destroying the aquatic life which will make it difficult for the people to meet their livelihoods for the period of time the spill will last.

"NPDC/Neconde don't have time for the communities that are hosting them. If they fail to assess the damage they have caused, and to bring relief materials, we are going to stop their operations. All stakeholders should please take note," they warned.

As at the time of filing this report, the company could not be reached for comments and the spill is yet to be rectified.

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