Environmental activists have raised alarm over a devastating oil spill that has been flowing unchecked for over a week in B-Dere community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, demanding immediate intervention from relevant government agencies.

The spill, which began on May 6, 2025, reportedly resulted from equipment failure on the Trans Niger Pipeline, causing crude oil to flow through residential areas and displacing many community members.

Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), expressed concern during a visit to the affected area with other civil society organizations. He criticized the slow response from government agencies and oil companies operating in the region.

"We are in a disaster zone and further disasters can erupt from even an accidental spark of fire. The slow response of government and oil companies underscores the lack of care for the people and the environment," Bassey stated.

He called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ministry of Environment (MENA), and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to take swift action to stop the flowing crude and initiate cleanup operations.

Bassey further emphasized the need for a thorough health audit of affected community members and the decommissioning of aged oil facilities in the area, arguing against plans to open new oil wells in Ogoniland.

"This level of laxity is absolutely unconscionable. The fact that this spill that happened a week ago is yet to be stopped sends a very strong point to why government should focus on cleaning up Ogoniland and not seek to open new oil wells," he added.

Celestine Akpobari, another environmental activist present at the site, described it as "an ecological crime scene" rather than a remediation site. He warned that without proper containment, the damage could worsen significantly.

Community members have reported severe impacts on their daily lives. Chief Mrs. Augustina Biebie, the woman leader of B-Dere, revealed that crude oil has entered many homes, causing respiratory problems and making it impossible for residents to cook due to fears of explosion.

"The thick smell of crude oil has affected our health. Breathing has become a problem, and it has become difficult to even feed because some of us cannot light fires in our kitchens," she explained.

Pastor Kpobari Bani, whose house was affected by the spill, said he has been unable to cook and his mother has been displaced. He called on Renaissance Oil, reportedly the new owner of the pipeline following its acquisition from Shell, to intervene and stop the spill.

As the crisis continues, residents remain in fear over their health and safety, with many already internally displaced. Environmental activists maintain that the situation highlights the ongoing environmental challenges in the oil-rich Niger Delta region and the urgent need for more responsible management of oil infrastructure.