Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has confirmed that it has stopped crude oil transportation through its Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline in Rivers State after an oil spill was discovered in Ikata community, Ahoada East Local Government Area. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday and was disclosed by the company in a statement released on Tuesday.
The Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline carries crude oil southward to the Rumuekpe manifold, which links to the Bonny export terminal. Following the spill, the company immediately shut down production into the pipeline and said it had started taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of the leakage.
The spill was first noticed by members of the Ikata community and volunteers from the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), an environmental watchdog group. According to the group, signs of vandalism and excavation were seen at the site, suggesting the spill may have been caused by illegal activities.
Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said volunteers who visited the scene reported that crude oil was still gushing from a 14-inch pipe in the area. He added that the crude oil had already spread into surrounding lands, affecting farmlands and causing serious environmental damage.
Although Renaissance did not confirm the cause or extent of the spill, the company said it had alerted relevant government agencies and was working with regulators and local stakeholders to carry out a joint investigation. The company, which recently took over operations from Shell in this area, emphasized that it was committed to responsible environmental management.
Renaissance Africa Energy is one of the local companies that recently acquired Shell’s onshore oil assets in Nigeria, a move that was widely seen as part of Shell’s divestment strategy from Nigeria’s troubled Niger Delta region. The region has been plagued by frequent oil spills, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining activities, leading to long-term damage to the environment and livelihoods of host communities.
Oil spills remain a major problem in the Niger Delta, often causing destruction of farmland, water bodies, and wildlife habitats. Many communities also suffer from health issues due to prolonged exposure to polluted environments.
Environmentalists and civil society groups have repeatedly called on oil companies operating in the area to invest more in pipeline surveillance, community engagement, and environmental cleanup. At the same time, they continue to urge government regulators to step up enforcement and ensure accountability for environmental breaches.
Fyneface called on Renaissance and relevant authorities to immediately begin cleanup efforts and provide support to affected communities. He stressed the need for transparency in the investigation and compensation where necessary.
The latest spill adds to the growing list of oil-related incidents in the Niger Delta, and many residents fear that without stronger enforcement, the cycle of spills, pollution, and poverty will continue.
