06/07/2025
Okolobiri Community Protests Gas Flaring in Bayelsa
On July 5, 2025, the Okolobiri community in Bayelsa State, a key oil-producing area in the Niger Delta, staged a peaceful protest against the relentless 24-hour gas flaring at the Gbarain-Ubie Integrated facility, demanding immediate action to address environmental and health crises. Residents, carrying placards with slogans like “Stop Poisoning Our Air,” highlighted how the continuous flaring has polluted water sources, caused respiratory issues, and devastated local agriculture.
The protest, which drew hundreds from surrounding villages, reflects growing frustration with oil companies’ environmental negligence in the Niger Delta, a region long plagued by pollution.
Community leaders, including Chief Ebiowei Okorie, accused the operating company of prioritizing profits over human lives, citing cases of children suffering from asthma and farmers losing crops to acid rain. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), marking its 25th anniversary on July 6, 2025, responded by pledging to investigate the flaring and engage stakeholders for sustainable solutions.
However, protesters expressed skepticism, pointing to decades of unfulfilled promises by both government and oil firms. The demonstration gained traction on X, where posts called for federal intervention and stricter regulations, amplifying the community’s plight to a national audience.
The Okolobiri protest underscores broader tensions in the Niger Delta, where oil spills and vandalism exacerbate insecurity and poverty. Health workers reported a spike in diarrhea and scabies cases linked to contaminated water, while local fishermen lamented dwindling catches. As Nigeria grapples with balancing its oil-dependent economy and environmental sustainability, the Okolobiri crisis highlights the urgent need for policy reforms. The federal government, under President Tinubu, faces pressure to address these grievances, with activists urging a shift toward renewable energy to reduce the region’s environmental burden