YENAGOA, Jan 22 (AGCNewsNet) – An oil spill and fire at a wellhead in Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria, have persisted for four weeks, prompting strong criticism from environmental advocacy groups and concerns from local communities.

The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) reported that residents alerted them to the spill, which has caused extensive pollution and environmental damage in the area.

“It is unfortunate that for the people of the localities involved, the year has started on a bad note with the disruption of the environment that sustains their livelihood,” said Chima Williams, Executive Director of EDEN, labeling the situation an environmental crisis.

Nigeria's state oil company, NNPC Ltd, which operates the affected asset, attributed the fire to sabotage by oil thieves. The company said the incident is part of a troubling pattern of wellhead attacks in the region, often involving explosives.

“NNPC is actively combating the fire and working to mitigate the financial and environmental impact of these criminal acts,” a spokesperson said.

The Niger Delta region has long suffered from environmental degradation caused by decades of oil spills, destroying ecosystems and livelihoods while posing serious health risks to residents. Advocacy groups have called for urgent action to extinguish the fire, halt the spill, and implement stronger safeguards to prevent future incidents.

Environmental experts warn that failure to address this crisis promptly will exacerbate the enduring damage caused by oil exploration and exploitation in Nigeria's coastal regions.

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