YENAGOA — The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has acknowledged responses from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) over the prolonged gas leak and fire at Alakiri Oil Well 9 in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, but insisted that immediate action must follow.
The IYC, in a statement signed by its President, 10th Executive Council, Comr. Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, said its seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and NNPC Limited remained in force.
According to the council, legitimate landlords and host community representatives at the Alakiri facilities informed its National Executive Council of correspondence from the NUPRC indicating its readiness to take action within the limits of its statutory mandate.
The IYC also said it had received signals from the Office of the National Security Adviser indicating concern over the issues raised by the council.
While welcoming the responses, the youth body said the situation required concrete intervention rather than official correspondence.
“Words will not abate the ongoing fires and repair the faults from which the gas continues to leak in the waters of Alakiri,” the statement said.
The IYC said the fire and gas leak had reportedly continued for more than two years, with serious consequences for the environment, livelihoods and wellbeing of residents of Alakiri and neighbouring communities.
The council described the situation as an environmental, health and humanitarian emergency requiring urgent federal intervention.
‘Our People Are Being Left to Die’
The IYC alleged that the prolonged fire and continuous release of pollutants had affected the air, waterways, aquatic life and livelihoods of residents.
It said fishing, which remains a major source of livelihood for many people in the area, had been severely disrupted, leaving families facing economic hardship.
The council also expressed concern over possible health consequences associated with prolonged exposure to pollution, including respiratory and other pollution-related illnesses.
It called for immediate medical emergency response, safety measures and adequate protection for the affected communities.
IYC: Where Is the Government?
The youth organisation said Okrika Kingdom contributes significantly to Nigeria’s oil economy, but argued that its host communities had continued to bear the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of oil and gas operations.
The IYC called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct relevant government agencies to urgently intervene in the Alakiri crisis.
It also urged NNPC Limited, NOSDRA, NUPRC, the Federal Ministry of Environment, NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to mobilise technical, environmental, medical and humanitarian emergency response teams.
NUPRC Outreach Welcomed
The IYC acknowledged what it described as the “swift outreach” by NUPRC to community leaders less than 24 hours after its protest.
While describing the engagement as a positive development, the council said dialogue must be followed by visible action at the affected site.
“Engagement alone cannot extinguish a fire that has burned for over two years,” the statement said.
The council said it was awaiting immediate intervention and a credible process for resolving the crisis.
IYC Demands Independent Investigation
The IYC also demanded an immediate and transparent Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) involving representatives of Alakiri Community, NNPC Limited, NOSDRA, NUPRC, relevant government agencies, independent environmental experts, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
It said the investigation should establish the cause, extent and environmental impact of the incident and produce a clear pathway for containment, remediation, restoration and compensation.
Seven-Day Ultimatum Remains
The IYC said its seven-day ultimatum was issued following an assessment of the situation by the 10th National Executive Council, led by Okotete.
According to the council, the ultimatum requires the Federal Government and NNPC Limited to commence immediate and meaningful intervention.
It warned that failure to see decisive action within the seven-day period would lead the IYC Worldwide to commence what it described as “lawful and peaceful mobilisation” towards a total shutdown of oil and gas activities within Okrika Kingdom and other affected territories.
The council said the ultimatum was already counting down, warning that every additional day without intervention increased the danger faced by residents.
“Two years of fire is two years too long,” the IYC said, insisting that Alakiri must be saved and its people protected.