NOSDRA Urged to Respond Swiftly to Fresh Oil Spill in Ahoada – Prioritising Environmental Protection and Community Safety

Rivers State, Nigeria — The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) is once again in the spotlight as fresh oil spillages in the Akinima community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State have spurred urgent demands for regulatory action from environmental advocates, community leaders, and civil society organisations.

Fresh Oil Spill Reported in Akinima Community — NOSDRA Called to Action

In mid‑January 2026, environmental advocates raised the alarm over a new oil spill emanating from a 6‑inch pipeline believed to be operated by OANDO Plc in Ahoada West LGA. Reports indicate that crude oil continued to discharge from two points on the pipeline, posing an immediate threat to farmlands, waterways, wetlands and community health.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC‑Nigeria) — which coordinates community‑level surveillance through its Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS) — called on NOSDRA, alongside the pipeline operator, to take urgent containment measures. These include:

• Immediate Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to confirm the cause and sources of the spill.
• Prompt clamping or containment of the leaking pipeline to stop further crude discharge.
• Thorough investigation and compliance action under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 to deter future spills.

Environmental advocates emphasise that swift regulatory engagement by NOSDRA is crucial not only to limit ongoing contamination but also to restore confidence among affected communities and reaffirm Nigeria’s environmental governance frameworks.

Importance of NOSDRA’s Mandate in Protecting Ecosystems and Livelihoods

NOSDRA was established under the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act (2006) to implement the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) and oversee spill reporting, investigation, response coordination and environmental remediation across Nigeria’s petroleum sector. The agency works through zonal offices in oil‑producing regions such as Port Harcourt, Warri and Uyo, and is responsible for joint investigation visits (JIVs) and enforcement of standards.

The recent calls for rapid action in Akinima illustrate how environmental monitoring, community reporting and regulatory response mechanisms must work in sync to protect lives, ecosystems and economic activities that depend on healthy watersheds and soil — from fishing and farming to local commerce.

Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Environment and Economy

Community Protection & Public Health:
Uncontrolled oil spills threaten drinking water sources, aquatic life, fishing and agriculture, undermining livelihoods and increasing health vulnerabilities.

Regulatory Oversight & Sector Accountability:
Proactive spill detection, joint investigation, and enforcement action by NOSDRA help enforce compliance with environmental standards and deter negligence by operators.

Strengthening Environmental Governance:
The prompt response to spills reinforces trust in Nigeria’s environmental institutions and supports sustainable development goals — particularly those safeguarding ecosystems and community well‑being.

The Akinima incident underscores a broader imperative for environmental stewardship in Nigeria’s oil‑producing regions, advancing resilience, equitable development, and healthy living environments for all Nigerians.