The Niger Delta region, once blessed with fertile lands, thriving rivers, and rich cultural heritage, now bears scars from decades of crude oil theft and fire outbreaks. From Oloibiri, where oil was first discovered in Nigeria, to the coastal communities of Rivers State, the once-vibrant land has been overshadowed by the consequences of illegal oil activities. The latest in a series of unfortunate incidents occurred recently at the Akaso 4 Wellhead, operated by NNPC 18 Operating Limited, where a massive fire broke out, wreaking havoc on the environment and further endangering lives.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has once again called for immediate action to put an end to these disasters. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of NNPCL Olufemi Soneye, revealed that “It’s not just about the fire outbreak – it’s about the livelihood, health, and safety of entire communities that are continuously jeopardized.”
The Akaso 4 Wellhead Fire: Another Day, Another Disaster
Just weeks ago, the skies over Akaso turned dark, not from rain clouds, but from thick, choking black smoke. The fire that erupted at the Akaso 4 Wellhead could be seen from miles away, as it lit up the night sky.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as terrifying, with the fire consuming the area around the wellhead, sending residents running for their lives. The disaster, linked to activities of crude oil thieves attempting to tamper with the oil facilities, left many homes and farmlands destroyed. This incident is only the most recent in a long list of fire outbreaks linked to crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
As one local fisherman, Ebiye, lamented, “Na everyday dem dey tell us make we no panic, say dem go fix am. How many times we go run leave our house because of fire? Wetin we do to deserve all dis wahala?” His words echo the frustrations of many Niger Delta residents who have been living in fear of oil-induced fires for years.
Oil Theft and Environmental Degradation
The Niger Delta, one of the most oil-rich regions in the world, has become the stage for oil thieves, commonly referred to as ‘bunkerers,’ who siphon off crude oil illegally. The NNPCL has long raised alarms over the billions of dollars lost yearly to crude oil theft, but the problem goes beyond financial losses.
Illegal tapping of oil pipelines and wellheads often results in crude oil spills, which in turn destroy farmlands and pollute rivers. The fishing communities, who once thrived on the abundant fish in the Niger Delta’s waters, now struggle with pollution that has made their rivers toxic. “No fish again for this water. Wetin we go do now, if no be to pack go another place?” Ebeyi further lamented.
While the activities of crude oil thieves often lead to accidents, such as the fire outbreaks that have become almost a regular occurrence in the region, some of these fire outbreaks have been deliberate actions by oil thieves to sabotage the nation’s economy. These fires not only pose immediate danger to lives but also contribute to long-term environmental degradation. As forests burn and crude oil spills into rivers, the land becomes less fertile, the rivers less habitable, and the air more toxic.
NNPCL’s Call for Urgent Action
During the chat with reporters, NNPCL re-echoed its call for urgent action to address the menace of crude oil theft and the resulting fire outbreaks in the Niger Delta. It added that these incidents not only affect the national economy but also have devastating impacts on the lives of people in the region.
The corporation emphasized that it is working closely with security agencies and community leaders to put a stop to the activities of oil thieves. NNPCL also highlighted the need for increased surveillance and enforcement to protect oil installations and prevent further disasters.
But for the people of the Niger Delta, promises of action have become all too familiar. While they appreciate the NNPCL’s efforts, many believe that more needs to be done to protect their homes, lands, and lives from the consequences of oil theft.
A Legacy of Destruction
The Akaso 4 Wellhead fire is not an isolated incident. Over the years, there have been numerous fire outbreaks across the Niger Delta, all linked to crude oil theft. In 2022, a similar fire at an illegal oil refinery in Abaezi, Imo State, claimed the lives of over 100 people. In 2019, a fire in a Rivers State community destroyed more than 20 homes after oil thieves attempted to siphon crude from a pipeline.
Each of these incidents leaves behind a trail of destruction – destroyed homes, polluted lands, and families who are left to pick up the pieces with little to no support. The loss of lives, both from the fires themselves and from the long-term health effects of oil pollution, is immeasurable.
“Dis oil na curse or blessing sef?” a resident from one affected community asked, reflecting on the devastation caused by years of oil-related disasters. It is a question that many in the Niger Delta are asking as they watch their once-prosperous land turned into a dangerous wasteland.
The Way Forward
The NNPCL’s call for action is important, but it is not enough on its own. The federal government, oil companies, security agencies, and community leaders all need to come together to address the root causes of crude oil theft and its consequences.
For starters, there must be stronger enforcement against oil thieves. While the NNPCL has ramped up its efforts to secure oil installations, more needs to be done to prevent these criminals from accessing pipelines and wellheads in the first place. Increased surveillance, using modern technology such as drones, could help deter illegal activities.
Moreover, the government must ensure that the people of the Niger Delta benefit from the wealth of their region. For too long, many communities have felt excluded from the benefits of oil production. Providing better infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities for the youth could help reduce the lure of illegal oil bunkering.
Lastly, there needs to be a concerted effort to clean up the environmental damage caused by years of oil spills and fires. Programs such as the Ogoni cleanup should be expanded to cover other parts of the Niger Delta, ensuring that affected communities can begin to recover from decades of environmental degradation.
Hope on the Horizon?
Despite the challenges, there is still hope for the Niger Delta. The region’s people are resilient, and with the right support, they can overcome the devastation of oil theft and fire outbreaks.
But with renewed efforts from the government, NNPCL, and the people themselves, perhaps the days of running from oil-induced fires and watching farmlands burn could soon be a thing of the past.
For now, the people of the Niger Delta are watching, hoping that the fire at Akaso 4 Wellhead will be the last they see. But they know that as long as oil thieves continue their activities unchecked, another disaster is always just around the corner.
