Residents of Kpean in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, have raised alarm over persistent environmental pollution, poverty, and neglect despite hosting 14 oil wells.
The community said repeated oil spills have devastated their rivers and farmlands, stripping families of their livelihoods and jeopardizing their future.
They recalled a visit by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on December 22, 2025, who promised urgent intervention, but lamented that no remedial action has yet been taken.
Speaking during an environmental monitoring and evidence-gathering training organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), the Paramount Ruler of Kpean, Chief Lucky Gbene-Ewoh, described the ongoing environmental degradation as a threat not only to the community’s resources but also to its peace of mind and future prospects.
“This disaster has stripped our people of the very foundation of survival.
”Our farmlands lie barren, our rivers, once sources of food and income, are poisoned, and our children suffer from hunger and illness.
”There has been no health support programme by the asset owner despite several letters,” Chief Gbene-Ewoh said.
The youth leader, Lemii Petaba, highlighted the impact of a major oil spill at Wellhead 14, operated by Nigeria National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), which has persisted since August 2025.
He also noted that Kpean had previously endured multiple spills between 2000 and 2021 under Shell’s operations, and continues to face ongoing pollution under NEPL, without meaningful cleanup efforts.
“Kpean community is home to several oil wells numbering up to 14.
”It has one of the highest oil and gas reserves in Khana Local Government Area, yet we continue to suffer from neglect,” Petaba said.
During the training, HOMEF Executive Director Dr. Nnimmo Bassey explained that the program aimed to equip participants with tools to document environmental damage and hold both government institutions and oil companies accountable.
The sessions also emphasised including vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities in environmental justice initiatives.
At the end of the programme, participants issued a communiqué demanding an immediate and comprehensive cleanup of Kpean in line with international best practices and Nigerian environmental laws.
They also called for the decommissioning of oil wellheads to protect residents’ health and safeguard the environment.
The communiqué further urged federal and state authorities to enforce existing environmental regulations, ensure Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in oil operations, and hold companies responsible for environmental degradation.
