The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) on Tuesday demanded an urgent cleanup, compensation, and accountability over an oil spill at the Nembe Creek in Bayelsa State.
The spill occurred on August 22 during crude oil loading operations at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29.
The operational mishap disrupted fishing activities and threatened the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The facility is operated by Nembe Exploration and Production Limited, formerly Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited, within Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML 29).
HOMEF made the call after a field visit to the affected area, where crude oil was observed in waterways and along mangrove banks.
The organisation said the pungent smell of crude oil was noticeable about two kilometres before reaching the community.
It added that residents reported that tidal movements have spread the pollution through interconnected waterways and fishing settlements.
According to HOMEF, affected communities depend heavily on fishing for food and income. Residents reportedly complained of damaged fishing nets, reduced fish catches, and inability to use the waterways for fishing and domestic purposes.
They also reported the disappearance of aquatic resources following the pollution.
The Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) concluded that the leak is due to operational failure. HOMEF, however, said the volume of crude released and the full geographical extent of the pollution remain inconclusive as of September 1.
Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, said identifying the cause of a spill should not end the accountability process.
Bassey said the latest incident occurred against the background of previous pollution incidents associated with OML 29.
He specifically cited the prolonged 2021 Santa Barbara Well 1 spill and wellhead blowout, emphasising that recurring spills should be treated as a systemic environmental governance concern rather than isolated incidents.
HOMEF urged Nembe Exploration and Production Limited, the Bayelsa State government and relevant federal regulatory agencies to publish the complete JIV findings.
It said the findings should include the cause, estimated volume, geographical extent and communities affected by the spill.
The organisation also demanded an independent and comprehensive environmental assessment of affected waterways, mangroves, fishing grounds and settlements.
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HOMEF called for the immediate cleanup and ecological restoration, with clear timelines and transparent monitoring mechanisms.
It also demanded urgent relief for affected households, particularly fishing families whose livelihoods had been disrupted.
The organisation called for compensation for verified livelihood and economic losses, including damaged fishing equipment and lost fishing time.
It further urged authorities to include all affected communities and fishing camps in JIVs, damage assessments, cleanup and monitoring.
