(DDM) – Community leaders in Delta State are raising new concerns over the long-term impact of oil production and demanding urgent reforms.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the leaders, drawn from oil-producing areas, voiced frustrations during a community meeting held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
At the meeting, they accused major oil companies of neglecting environmental safety standards and failing to fulfill promises of development.
They said farmlands have been destroyed by frequent oil spills and gas flaring.
Fishermen also complained that rivers and creeks have become polluted, making traditional livelihoods increasingly impossible to sustain.
Community representatives described the situation as a deliberate exploitation of the people and their resources.
They argued that host communities bear the brunt of oil exploration while receiving little or no benefit.
The leaders also questioned the transparency of revenue allocation from crude oil proceeds.
According to them, funds often disappear into bureaucratic structures, leaving grassroots communities impoverished.
They demanded stronger oversight of oil companies and government agencies involved in the sector.
Speakers at the gathering called for a more equitable sharing of resources.
They urged that host communities should receive direct investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Some participants noted that despite decades of exploration, many oil-producing villages still lack clean water and reliable electricity.
Youth leaders expressed anger over rising unemployment and exclusion from opportunities created by the oil sector.
They warned that neglect and frustration could fuel new waves of restiveness in the region.
Traditional rulers at the meeting appealed for dialogue and government intervention before tensions escalate further.
Environmental activists present also emphasized the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to pollution.
They cited cases of respiratory illnesses, contaminated water supplies, and declining agricultural productivity.
Calls were made for comprehensive environmental remediation programs.
The leaders urged the federal government to enforce stricter regulations on multinational oil firms.
They also pressed for community-based monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Civil society groups in attendance promised to amplify the community’s demands at state and national levels.
They said reforming the oil sector is key to restoring trust and preventing future conflicts.
Participants concluded that only accountability, transparency, and justice would bring lasting peace and development to oil-rich Delta communities.
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