Rivers Assembly Questions NNPCL Over Oil Spill Issues

The Rivers State House of Assembly has queried the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its failure to appear before a committee addressing a petition related to crude oil spills impacting communities in Degema Local Government Area. This issue was raised during the third legislative sitting of the fourth session on Tuesday.

Hon. Enemi George, the chairman of the committee on public complaints, described NNPCL's absence as unacceptable, especially given the importance of the matter. The petition, filed by Opunabo Ekin on behalf of the Port Harcourt Bloom White Rose Farmers Cooperative Investment Credit Society Limited, concerns a fire outbreak allegedly linked to NNPCL's operations.

The incident reportedly occurred on February 19, 2025, causing significant environmental damage and affecting the livelihoods of local communities. The committee also addressed two other petitions, one involving a dispute over an oil spill linked to the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.

The House has deferred further debate on these reports to a later legislative day.