Residents of Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State are in fear following a deadly fire explosion at the Cawthorne Channel facility, which has resulted in a massive oil spill into the surrounding waters.
Reports indicate that a search operation is ongoing for missing crew members, while the community awaits the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to provide compensation for environmental devastation and relief materials to cushion the impact of the disaster.
A community leader from the Cawthorne Channel area, Daniel Pollyn, confirmed that the affected facilities belong to NNPCL. He disclosed that the fire outbreak, which occurred on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, engulfed two flow stations near Degema LGA, also in Rivers State.
“We have not been able to ascertain the number of casualties for now. But as I speak, all the crew members on the affected vessels are still being searched for,” Pollyn stated.
He clarified that no members of the local community were among the casualties and attributed the incident to NNPCL’s negligence. He further demanded a joint investigation visit (JIV) to identify the cause of the explosion and called for clean-up, remediation, and compensation for the environmental damage.
“None of our community members are affected. The fault is NNPCL’s. We are waiting for a JIV, relief materials, and compensation for the pollution caused,” Pollyn added.
He also revealed that community representatives and NNPCL officials are already engaging on the matter via Zoom meetings, with expectations that critical issues will be addressed by Monday.
“Yes, they are meeting with us via Zoom. After the JIV, likely on or before Monday, further processes will follow,” he assured.
The explosion has sparked concerns over the adherence to safety protocols and global best practices in the management of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.
As of 24 hours after the incident, NNPCL has yet to issue an official statement. This silence has reinforced public concerns over the company’s accountability, particularly as it remains unresponsive to a pipeline rupture in Iloma Community that occurred nearly five months ago.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed awareness of the explosion and the resulting crude oil spillage into the Bonny waterways.
In a statement, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, acknowledged that initial reports on February 19 were sketchy due to uncertainty surrounding the company responsible for the affected barge or vessel.
“Information was unclear at first because the company behind the explosion was unknown, as multiple oil companies operate in the area,” Dr. Fyneface explained.
He called on relevant authorities, particularly the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to assess the scale of the oil spill and hold NNPCL or any responsible party accountable.
“We urge NOSDRA to quantify the barrels of crude oil spilled and ensure the responsible company is held to account,” Dr. Fyneface demanded.
The community and advocacy groups continue to press for transparency, environmental remediation, and support for those affected by the disaster.
