Delegates at the 5th Niger Delta Alternatives Convergence have called for a region-wide investigation into abandoned oil wells and inactive petroleum facilities, citing increasing environmental and safety concerns linked to deteriorating infrastructure across oil-producing communities.
The resolution was adopted at the end of the gathering held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where civil society organisations, environmental advocates, labour groups, traditional rulers, women associations and youth representatives discussed the long-term impact of neglected oil assets in the Niger Delta.
Participants expressed concern over oil facilities that have remained inactive or undecommissioned for years, arguing that several sites continue to release hydrocarbons into surrounding communities and waterways.
Specific reference was made to dormant oil assets in Otuabagi, the Ibibio-1 well incident in Akwa Ibom State, and persistent fire outbreaks linked to the Ororo-1 well in Ondo State and the Alakiri wellhead in Rivers State.
The stakeholders said the condition of aging petroleum infrastructure across parts of the region reflects broader gaps in environmental enforcement and post-operation accountability within Nigeria’s oil industry.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the groups urged authorities to commence a transparent identification and assessment process covering abandoned oil wells, pipelines and related petroleum infrastructure throughout the Niger Delta.
The communiqué was endorsed by the Convener of the convergence, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, alongside the Chairman of the platform, HRM Oba Oluwamgbe Ojagbowumi.
According to the participants, unresolved environmental liabilities associated with inactive oil facilities continue to affect livelihoods, public health and ecosystems within host communities.
The groups also questioned the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, arguing that implementation gaps have allowed some operators to avoid remediation and decommissioning responsibilities.
They further alleged that asset divestments and corporate restructuring arrangements within the oil sector have, in some instances, complicated accountability for abandoned infrastructure.
Among the recommendations presented at the convergence were calls for immediate remediation of polluted environments, ecological restoration of impacted communities and stricter monitoring of decommissioning obligations by regulatory authorities.
The stakeholders also proposed stronger legal provisions governing oil asset transfers to prevent environmental liabilities from being shifted to host communities or public institutions.
In addition, they requested the public disclosure of abandonment and decommissioning fund contributions through annual reports published by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The meeting, themed “Decommissioning and Accountability,” also featured contributions from researchers, environmental professionals and community leaders from several oil-producing states across the Niger Delta.