Residents of Niger Delta communities affected by persistent oil spills and gas leaks have raised concerns over what they described as an increase in unusual deaths and health challenges in their communities.

They also alleged cases of early cessation of menstruation among women. The residents, drawn from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states, expressed their concerns in Port Harcourt on Tuesday during the second edition of the People’s Environmental Assembly, also known as Eco-Festival.

The event, tagged “A Celebration of Culture, Resilience and Resistance,” was organised by environmental rights group We the People to draw attention to the environmental and social consequences of oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

The participants lamented that years of pollution had degraded their environment, affected fishing and farming, and reduced access to safe water and other natural resources.

They also raised concerns about alleged unusual illnesses and deaths in their communities, calling for urgent investigations and environmental remediation.

Speaking at the event, Precious Ibegwura, from Erema Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, said oil pollution had exposed residents to serious environmental and health challenges.

Ibegwura said the community had suffered extensive environmental degradation, leaving residents struggling to access safe food and live in a healthy environment.

“Our community today is nothing to write home about. Erema is now a community of tears. The oil companies have destroyed our land. They have left pollution everywhere.

“We have so many health challenges in our community now. Anyone we have that is 60 years, we call that person a living ancestor. It is the activities of the oil companies that have left us in this mess,” he stated.

Ibegwura continued, “We are speaking for justice, and we must get it. They must be made to pay for their wrongs. We must get justice.”

Similarly, Mitema Suoye George, from Otuabagi Community in Bayelsa State, said pollution had affected fishing activities and raised concerns about residents’ health.

George recalled that the community previously enjoyed abundant fish stocks before oil exploration and related pollution became widespread.

She said, “My mother told me that before they started oil exploration in Otuabagi, they were enjoying life and catching big fishes.”

George further alleged that women in the community were experiencing early cessation of menstruation, adding that a study conducted by the KATBETKACHE Women Development Centre had reportedly identified cases of cancer among residents.

“We have been suffering. Women who are 35 can no longer see their menstruation again. From the report, it was shown that many women are down with cancer too. We want justice, and we must get justice,” she said.

Warda Nebani Beryamon, a former youth leader in Ikarama Community, Bayelsa State, also described the level of oil pollution in the area as alarming.

Beryamon claimed that Ikarama had recorded numerous oil spills and expressed concern over reports of cancer and other health challenges among residents.

“The level of pollution in Ikarama is bigger than what is happening in other communities. We have the issue of cancer in the community. We are the community with the highest number of oil spills in Nigeria,” he alleged.

The Executive Vice President of the Bille Kingdom Youth Federation in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Timothy Agumbiade, also raised concerns over gas emissions, reported deaths and the impact of pollution on residents of Bille Kingdom.

Agumbiade said the kingdom, which hosts two major oil fields, had experienced gas leaks from its waterways since October last year, prompting visits by government agencies and media organisations.

He, however, expressed concern that despite repeated visits and the collection of environmental samples, residents were yet to see tangible results that would address their concerns.

He said, “There was a joint visit to our kingdom by several government agencies. They took samples. They visited over 16 times. Even media houses have visited too. Bille has become a place of continuous visits. We are only calling for these visits to translate into results that will save the lives of our people.”

Agumbiade also recounted an explosion on July 3, which he said left a woman in distress. According to him, the woman was taken to a local hospital but died after the facility allegedly failed to provide the necessary care.

He said residents, including children, were facing difficult conditions, adding that he had personally experienced skin rashes and eye problems, which he attributed to the gas emissions in Bille.

He further claimed that Bille Kingdom in Bayelsa State recorded seven deaths in September and four more in October, with most of the deceased reportedly below 60 years of age.

The youth leader called on relevant authorities and other stakeholders to intervene to protect residents and prevent further environmental and health concerns.

In his remarks, the convener of We the People, Ken Henshaw, said more than seven decades of oil exploration and production had contributed to a persistent environmental crisis in the Niger Delta.

Henshaw called for a comprehensive environmental audit to establish the extent of the damage, identify those responsible and determine the necessary steps towards remediation and ecological justice.

He said the Eco-Festival was intended to strengthen public engagement and collective action towards addressing environmental degradation in the region.

Henshaw expressed hope that subsequent editions would deepen accountability, adding that the organisers expected oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to answer questions about their roles in the region’s pollution crisis.

He said the ultimate goal was “to secure justice for affected communities and restore the environment for present and future generations”.