Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Residents of Okolobiri community in Gbarain Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have raised the alarm over what they described as relentless and hazardous gas flaring from the Gbarain-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Processing Plant, operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company, RAEC.
The gas flaring, which locals say continues “24 hours a day”, has triggered health problems, environmental degradation, and widespread fear among the people, including those in neighbouring Ogboloma and Obunagha communities.
“This community is under siege from the sky,” said Engr. Judah Sukuruowei, the Paramount Ruler of the community, during a fact-finding visit by the Environmental Defenders Network, EDEN.
“We have been experiencing serious vibrations from the gas flare. The flare is so high that it is shaking our buildings. Our people now suffer from polluted water, damaged roofs, and increasing unexplained deaths, including children.”
The Gbarain-Ubie facility, formerly operated by Shell before its divestment, is located near the state-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital. Residents say the constant flaring, accompanied by intense heat, light, and vibrations, has made life unbearable and unsafe.
Sukuruowei added, “There is no potable water. Our river is polluted and not drinkable anymore. The air is poisonous, the rate of illness is rising, and even crops and fish are no longer what they used to be. This is a serious environmental and public health crisis.”
EDEN, who visited the area following a distress call from the community, confirmed that solar streetlights facing the direction of the gas flare consistently go off once the flare’s intensity increases, underscoring the level of interference with daily life.
A resident of the community, Bright Shadrack Esyine, expressed deep concern about the environmental impact and apparent regulatory neglect.
“It’s a global fact that gas flaring contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. Here, it’s more than climate change, it’s the collapse of homes, poisoned land, and scorched vegetation. The noise and vibrations are so intense that cracks are appearing on our buildings. It looks deliberate. And to make matters worse, the company is not following international flaring standards, and the regulators have gone silent.”
Women in the community say the flare is disrupting farming and fishing, the main sources of livelihood, as Mrs Tuaweri Keniwenimo, Women Leader of the community, described the situation as “a direct attack on the survival of mothers and children.”
She said, “As a mother, I must speak out. Farming is no longer fruitful; fish are no longer tasty, and the health of our children is declining. Many women built their homes through farming and fishing, but now those homes are falling apart from the heat and vibration. Our children fall sick frequently, and we have seen many untimely deaths. We are suffering.
“We want to live. We are not begging for luxury. We are asking for the right to breathe, to farm, to drink clean water, and to raise our children without burying them before they grow up.”
Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, condemned the situation, saying the company’s actions violate both environmental and human rights.
“In a sane and working country, this level of open gas flaring near residential areas would not be allowed. NOSDRA, NESREA and other regulators are failing in their duties. What we are witnessing here is environmental terrorism being met with institutional silence.”
EDEN issued a five-point demand to relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Environment and Bayelsa State’s Ministries of Environment and Mineral Resources, urging immediate intervention.
EDEN’s demands include, “Urgent investigation and intervention by NOSDRA, NESREA and the Federal Ministry of Environment. Active involvement of Bayelsa State environmental and mineral resource authorities.”
Others are, “Continuous monitoring and documentation by the community. Formal petitions by affected communities to all levels of government. Support from advocacy groups, media, and legal practitioners to ensure environmental justice under Article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
No official response has yet been received from Renaissance Africa Energy Company or relevant regulatory agencies at the time of filing this report.
