Stakeholders renew call for decommissioning of abandoned oil wells in Niger Delta
Stakeholders Urge Action on Abandoned Oil Wells in Niger Delta
UYO, Akwa Ibom State — Community leaders, environmental experts, and activists from the Niger Delta are calling on oil companies and government officials to prioritize the decommissioning of abandoned oil wells in the region, citing significant environmental hazards associated with these sites.
During the 5th Niger Delta Alternatives Convergence (NDAC), titled “Decommissioning and Accountability,” stakeholders expressed concern over the lack of proper remediation and environmental audits following divestment by multinational oil companies. They emphasized that adherence to both global best practices and Nigerian regulations necessitates the safe decommissioning and restoration of oil wells once they cease operations.
Participants questioned why oil companies operating in the Niger Delta frequently neglect these responsibilities. The convergence, organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in conjunction with various civil society organizations, highlighted the ongoing risks posed by inactive oil and gas infrastructure, which they described as “ticking time bombs” for environmental safety and community welfare.
The group noted that abandoned oil wells continue to leak hydrocarbons, polluting ecosystems and endangering local populations. Specific incidents cited included wells in Otuabagi, Bayelsa State, and the SPDC Ibibio-1 well that erupted in 2007 in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, which remains unresolved. They pointed to ongoing issues, such as the Ororo-1 well in Ondo State, which has been on fire since 2020.
In a communique issued following the meeting, stakeholders declared that every abandoned and leaking oil well in the Niger Delta should be regarded as a crime scene due to the risks they pose to public health and safety. They called for an immediate and comprehensive audit of all oil wells and related infrastructure, along with expedited decommissioning efforts and ecological restoration led by state governments, with enforcement from the federal government.
While acknowledging efforts detailed in reports from the Willinks Commission, NDES, UNEP, and BSOEC, the stakeholders insisted on a future for the Niger Delta characterized not by ecological degradation but by justice, restoration, and development aligned with the aspirations of local communities.
They further advocated for an end to short-sighted extractive practices, urging the swift identification and disclosure of all abandoned oil and gas facilities. Recommendations included immediate clean-up, remediation, and reparations for affected environments.
The participants also called for amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), alongside stricter enforcement of regulations regarding corporate responsibility and transparency in divestment processes. They urged the federal government to publicize details of divestment arrangements to clarify responsibilities transferred to domestic companies.
Additionally, stakeholders encouraged local communities and civil society to focus on strategic litigation to overcome challenges associated with weak legal proceedings.
