The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other relevant agencies to urgently halt the persistent gas leak and recurring fires around facilities linked to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 in the Ofiomina-Ama Alakiri community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The ultimatum followed an on-the-ground assessment of the affected community by IYC leadership, led by its President, Dr Doubra Collins Okotete, who was accompanied to the disaster site by more than 50 speedboats.

In a statement signed by the IYC National Spokesman, Victor Ibaningo, the council said the gas leak and associated fires had persisted for more than two years despite repeated appeals, petitions and demands for government intervention.

The council said its assessment revealed a situation that posed serious risks to residents’ lives, health, livelihoods and property, as well as the environment and local economy.

According to the IYC, “what we witnessed was deeply disturbing,” describing the prolonged exposure of residents to hazardous conditions as unacceptable.

The council also expressed concern over what it described as a possible equipment failure and operational negligence, rather than sabotage, as had sometimes been claimed in relation to such incidents.

The IYC said it was particularly disturbed by reports that NNPCL and its vendors had shifted some operations to the community’s shores because of the persistent fire around the affected facilities.

“We understand that various activities involving the loading and unloading of crude-related materials are now being carried out around the community, further exposing residents to additional risks and worsening an already precarious situation,” the statement said.

The council accused NNPCL and relevant government agencies of failing to respond adequately to repeated complaints from the affected communities.

“For more than two years, our people have reportedly written numerous letters, submitted petitions and made repeated appeals to NNPCL and various government agencies, seeking urgent intervention. Yet, the response has remained grossly inadequate,” it said.

The IYC called on the Federal Government, NNPCL, NAPIMS, NESREA, NOSDRA, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NUPRC, NMDPRC, the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders to urgently halt the development.

The Ijaw youths demanded the immediate identification and containment of the gas leak, measures to prevent further fire outbreaks, a comprehensive safety assessment of the affected facilities, and environmental assessment and remediation of the impacted areas.

The council also demanded relief and safety measures for affected residents, meaningful engagement with the communities, and payment of appropriate compensation to those adversely affected.

The IYC said the seven-day ultimatum was “not a threat or an attempt at provocation,” but a final call for responsible engagement, accountability and urgent action.

The council, however, warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would compel its members to consider further lawful measures, including mobilising Ijaw youths and affected communities for a peaceful shutdown of the affected facilities and suspension of production activities until the concerns were addressed.

“Patience must not be mistaken for weakness, and silence must never be interpreted as consent to the continued endangerment of our people,” the council warned.

The IYC urged the Federal Government, NNPCL, regulatory agencies and the Rivers State Government to use the seven-day window to resolve the crisis and prevent further escalation.

“We demand action. We demand accountability. We demand environmental justice,” the council declared. (The Nation)