Rivers Assembly Launches Investigation Into Oil Spill Neglect
The Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated a comprehensive probe into serious allegations against Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited concerning their apparent neglect of devastating oil spills in the B-Dere community located in Gokana Local Government Area. This decisive action came after the legislative body received a formal petition from the affected community through their legal representatives, Hamilton Odom & Co.
Community Petition Reveals Environmental Catastrophe
The petition, officially signed by ESV Hamilton Odom and presented on the assembly floor by the Deputy Speaker, details an environmental disaster that occurred on May 7, 2025. The incident involved a significant oil spill along the 24 Ogale-Bomu Pipeline that crosses through the community's territory. According to the petitioners, a joint investigation team comprising officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and community representatives conclusively determined that equipment failure caused the pipeline leak.
The document vividly describes the spill's catastrophic impact on the local ecosystem. The toxic hydrocarbons penetrated plant tissues, disrupting essential physiological functions and severely impairing water and nutrient absorption. This environmental assault resulted in widespread vegetation stress, defoliation, stunted growth, and ultimately plant mortality, with young plants and seedlings being particularly vulnerable to the damage.
Economic and Psychological Toll on Community
Beyond the environmental destruction, the oil spill has created severe economic and psychological consequences for the B-Dere community. The contamination has rendered underground water sources unsafe while devastating agricultural activities that form the backbone of the local economy. Farmers have experienced substantial income loss and livelihood destruction, compounding the community's suffering.
The petitioners emphasized that the incident has caused significant psychological trauma and stress among residents, warning that these mental health impacts could have long-term consequences on the community's overall well-being. Despite these severe repercussions, the community claims that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has made no efforts to clean up the affected areas or provide any form of compensation to those whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.
"More worrisome is the indifference and silence of the company over all matters relating to the spill after the initial meeting between the representatives of the company and the community to agree on a fair or adequate compensation sum ended in a deadlock," the petitioners stated in their documentation.
Legislative Response and Demands for Accountability
Following the petition's presentation, Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule immediately referred the matter to the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, which operates under the leadership of Hon. Dr. Enemi Alabo George. The community has urgently appealed to the Assembly to ensure that Renaissance bears sole responsibility for the spill, given that it resulted from equipment failure under their control.
The B-Dere community has presented three clear demands to the legislative body. They are seeking immediate appraisal and payment of compensation for their economic losses, damage to livelihoods, and the extensive environmental degradation caused by the company's negligence. Additionally, they have requested that lawmakers engage the company to ensure a comprehensive cleanup, remediation, and restoration of the affected land, underground water, and overall environment.
Dr. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, has assured the community that his committee will give the petition speedy consideration, recognizing the urgency of the situation and the severe impact on the B-Dere community residents.
