YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE – Environmental advocates and community leaders in Bayelsa State have raised fresh concerns over the continued degradation of the Biseni environment following an oil spill that occurred about five months ago, with parts of the affected area now reportedly set ablaze. Biseni Kingdom, located in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, comprises of 13 communities and hosts oil operations belonging to Renaissance Africa Energy Company and Oando PLC, formerly Shell and Agip. The area is crisscrossed by numerous oil wells and pipelines transporting crude oil and gas to neighboring Rivers State. Over the years, the kingdom has witnessed repeated incidents of oil spills, many of which have devastated farmlands, lakes, fish ponds, and other natural water bodies due to the terrain of the area. Residents, whose livelihoods depend heavily on farming and fishing, say such incidents have had severe economic, environmental, and health consequences. According to co...
Oil and gas polluted communities in the Niger Delta and environmental experts say the life expectancy in the region has dropped to 40-47 years, which is 15 years lower than the national average. This was established at a townhall meeting organized by Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) in Akwa Ibom state, with Eket and Ibeno community members on May 30, 2026, to conclude the Africa Week of Action, themed "Kick Polluters Out of Nigeria". The meeting highlighted the environmental, health and economic impact of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the state, accusing companies like Total Energies, ExxonMobil, and Seplat of perpetuating pollution under the guise of corporate social responsibility. They criticized the Nigerian government's response to oil spills, citing corruption and lack of accountability. Project Manager of CODAF, Endurance Oriakhogba, attributed this 15-year gap directly to the cumulative effects of hydrocarbon pollution, including conta...