Senate Demands Tough Penalties for Oil Giants Over Niger Delta Spill, Senator Natasha Leads Charge

The Nigerian Senate is ramping up pressure on oil companies operating in the Niger Delta, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) called for stringent penalties against operators responsible for environmental disasters.

Speaking during a debate on the motion titled “Urgent Need to Mitigate the Recent Fire Outbreak and Oil Spillage from Manifold Well 8/BUG 008 in OML 18 Bukuma (Agum), Rivers West Senatorial District, Rivers,” Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Ecological Project Management Committee (EPMC) and other relevant agencies to enforce accountability in the oil sector.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s call comes in response to the devastating oil spill and subsequent fire at Bukuma Island in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident, traced back to OML Well 8 operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has left widespread environmental damage in its wake.

“It’s time we hold these oil operators accountable,” Akpoti-Uduaghan declared. “We must ensure that the costs of cleanup, damages, and penalties are fully shouldered by the companies responsible for these disasters. Our environment and the livelihoods of our people are at stake.”

The Senate has tasked the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) with conducting an immediate investigation into the cause of the spill and fire. Lawmakers voiced concern over the recurring nature of such incidents in the Niger Delta, often attributed to weak safety protocols, regulatory lapses, and delayed responses by both oil companies and oversight agencies.

“This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a human crisis,” Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized, pointing to the long-standing impacts of pollution on local communities, from health risks to the destruction of farmlands and fishing areas.

The Senate’s directive reflects growing frustration over the handling of oil-related environmental disasters in the region. Lawmakers are pushing for a more transparent process that ensures companies are held to higher environmental standards and that affected communities receive timely support and compensation.

The oil spill, initially reported on January 1, 2025, has reignited national debates over corporate responsibility and environmental justice in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. As the Senate’s investigation unfolds, communities in the Niger Delta are hoping for more than just another round of promises—they want action.