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The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and relevant regulatory agencies to stop the persistent gas leak and recurring fires around Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 in Ofiomina-Ama Alakiri community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The ultimatum followed an inspection of the affected area by the IYC leadership led by its President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, who visited the community with more than 50 speedboats.
In a statement signed by its National Spokesman, Victor Ibaningo, the council said the gas leak and recurring fires had continued for over two years despite repeated petitions and appeals for government intervention.
The IYC described the situation as a major threat to the lives, health and livelihoods of residents, warning that prolonged exposure to the hazardous conditions had become unacceptable.
The council expressed concern that the incident appeared to be linked to equipment failure and operational negligence rather than sabotage, as had sometimes been suggested.
It also alleged that NNPCL and its contractors had relocated some crude-related operations to the community's shoreline because of the persistent fire, thereby exposing residents to greater danger.
The IYC accused NNPCL and relevant government agencies of failing to respond adequately to several complaints and petitions from the affected communities.
The group called on the Federal Government, NNPCL, NAPIMS, NESREA, NOSDRA, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Rivers State Government to intervene urgently.
Among its demands are the immediate identification and containment of the gas leak, measures to prevent further fire outbreaks, comprehensive safety and environmental assessments, remediation of impacted areas, and adequate relief and compensation for affected residents.
The IYC said the seven-day ultimatum was a final opportunity for the authorities to address the crisis through responsible engagement and accountability.
It warned that failure to act within the deadline would compel the council to mobilise Ijaw youths and host communities for a peaceful shutdown of the affected facilities and suspension of production activities until the issues were resolved.
The council urged all relevant authorities to use the seven-day window to prevent further escalation, insisting that urgent action was needed to protect lives, restore the environment and ensure justice for the affected communities.
