Elem-Kalabari community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State has raised an alarm over what it described as a worsening environmental disaster caused by persistent pollution and two major oil spills linked to NNPC Eighteen Limited’s operations in OML-18, Cawthorne Channel.
In a strongly petition dated December 4, 2025, and addressed to the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), community leaders said the spills traced to Well 41 and Well 43 have devastated waterways, destroyed livelihoods, and endangered public health across several Kalabari settlements.
According to the petitioners, the spill from Well 41 has been discharging crude oil for over a month, while another spill from Well 43 has remained uncontained for more than a week. They said no emergency response or cleanup activity has been initiated by the operator, contrary to statutory requirements.
“The New Calabar River is now covered with thick crude oil, our mangroves are coated with sludge, and our drinking water sources are contaminated,” the statement said. “Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are exposed daily to toxic hydrocarbons.”
Communities said the unfolding crisis affects Elem-Kalabari, Emos Ama, Owupoku-Obu Ama, Owupoku Ama, Mbi Ama, Portuguese Ama, Goba Ama, Jacob Ama, Moni Ama, New Jerusalem Ama and surrounding settlements.
The petitioners comprising traditional rulers, youth and women leaders alleged that Elem-Kalabari has for years endured chronic pollution from crude-oil barging and transport activities tied to NNPC Eighteen Limited. They listed sludge discharges, oil sheen on waterways, contaminated ballast water, damage to fishing grounds, and propeller interference as recurrent issues.
However, they said the recent spills have created a “full-scale ecological and humanitarian crisis.”
The community accused the government-owned company of violating multiple environmental regulations, including Failure to report the spills within 24 hours, as required by the NOSDRA Act; Failure to deploy containment booms, cleanup teams, or emergency response equipment; Failure to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV);Neglect of host community engagement obligations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021; and Breaches of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and NESREA guidelines
They warned that continued regulatory failure could further undermine public trust and worsen Nigeria’s environmental reputation.
The Elem-Kalabari community urged NOSDRA to immediately mobilize to the area and enforce emergency measures. Their demands include: Immediate deployment of NOSDRA enforcement and response teams; Emergency Joint Investigation Visit with full community participation; A compliance directive compelling NNPC Eighteen Limited to begin containment and cleanup; and Initiation of statutory penalties for delayed reporting and remediation.
Other demands were: Provision of emergency relief to affected residents; Independent assessment of environmental damage; Compensation and restoration of livelihoods; and Investigation into regulatory lapses
The petition, signed by leaders of the Elem-Kalabari Council of Chiefs, Youth Organization, Women Council, and the Community Development Committee, appealed for swift intervention.
“Our waters are dying. Our children are at risk. Our future is being poisoned,” they wrote. “NNPC Eighteen Limited, a company owned by the Federal Government, cannot continue to operate above the law.”
They stressed that without urgent action, the situation may escalate into a large-scale humanitarian disaster.
NOSDRA was yet to issue a formal response to the petition.
