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By Chukwuemeka Umesi
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Residents of Ogori-Ekiri communities Degema LGA of Rivers States fled Their homes due to an oil Spill
Residents of Ogori-Ekiri and surrounding communities in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have fled their homes due to an oil spill that has devastated their farmlands.
The oil spill, which was reported to have occurred on August 16, 2024, has contaminated the water sources and destroyed crops worth millions of naira.
The affected communities have accused the Shell Petroleum Development Company of being responsible for the oil spill.
The Chairman of the Ogori-Ekiri Community Development Committee, Valentine Ayemele, told our correspondent that the oil spill had caused immense damage to the community’s farmlands and water sources.
He said, “We are at the mercy of the oil company. We have lost everything. Our crops, our water sources, everything is gone. We are calling on the government and the oil company to help us.”
The community leader added that the residents had fled their homes due to the unbearable conditions caused by the oil spill.
He said, “People are suffering. They have nowhere to go. They have lost their livelihoods. We are calling on the government and the oil company to intervene.”
The Shell Petroleum Development Company has yet to comment on the incident.
This is not the first time an oil spill has occurred in the area. In 2019, a similar incident occurred, causing widespread destruction to the community’s farmlands and water sources.
The incident has raised concerns about the impact of oil exploration on the environment and the livelihoods of communities in the Niger Delta region.