Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has confirmed a fresh crude oil spill on its facility in Oshika community in Ahoada West local government area of Rivers State.

The incident it was gathered occurred early hours of Monday, on a pipeline right of way operated by Renaissance, the new operator of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Ltd’s divested facilities.

An environmental group, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) had set the alarm, stressing that its volunteers in the area noticed and reported the incident on Monday, May 19, 2025.

The Executive Director, YEAC-Nigeria, Dumnamene Fyneface, told journalists in Port Harcourt, that the volunteers observed that the incident was allegedly caused by third-party interference.

He said “The volunteers reported the latest crude oil spill to the Advocacy Centre, alleging that the spillage is caused by third-party interference, pending confirmation by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) through a comprehensive joint investigation team’s visit to the spill site in Oshika community”.

The Advocacy Centre, however, called on NOSDRA to carry out a timely joint investigation visit to the site and invoke relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, to hold those responsible accountable and ensure the operator clamps the spill point to mitigate the impact of the crude oil spill on the flora and fauna in the affected area.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Renaissance, ME Michael Adande, who confirmed the incident to our Correspondent, said “The Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited confirms a report today (Monday, May 19, 2025) of an illegal connection which has resulted in a spill incident from the 14-inch Okordia-Rumuekpe Pipeline at Oshika in Rivers State, within the right of way of the pipeline”.

Adande disclosed that immediate steps are being taken to isolate and discontinue production into the pipeline to minimise any potential environmental impact.

He also revealed that the company “have informed Government Regulators, and are coordinating the statutory joint investigation visit, which will be led by their representatives and include representatives from the local community for purposes of determining the cause and impact of the incident”.

Blessing Ibunge

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