Senator Benson Criticizes FG Neglect of Oil-Producing States- video attached

Senator Konbowei Benson Friday, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, has strongly criticized the government’s neglect of oil-producing states, describing their plight to that of a woman abandoned by her partner.

Speaking to journalists after his contribution to Senator Banigo’s motion on the recent fire outbreak and oil spillage from Manifold Well 8/Bug 008 in OML 18 Bujumbura (Agum), Rivers West Senatorial District, on the Senate floor in Abuja on Thursday.

Senator Friday lamented the continued environmental degradation and economic hardship in the Niger Delta region.

“Nigeria is behaving like a man who only cares about having children but neglects his wife’s well-being. He enjoys the benefits of the marriage but does not provide for her welfare, her revitalization, or her sustenance,” he said.

He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to addressing the challenges in the region.

“We cannot continue addressing these issues in a piecemeal manner. There must be a holistic study to ensure long-term solutions. My greatest fear—and the fear of our people is that while Nigeria talks about economic diversification, the Niger Delta remains abandoned.”

The senator drew historical comparisons, recalling how, in the 1950s and 1960s, cocoa and groundnut revenue ensured regional development.

“During that era, oil revenue wasn’t yet in the picture, yet these regions thrived. When oil was discovered in the Niger Delta, the people of the region were not given the same opportunities to benefit. The federal government took control, but the people were left behind.”

He also highlighted the region’s struggles with employment and federal representation.

“When Nigeria gained independence, only one person from Rivers State, Amakri, held a position in the federal service. While other regions sent people abroad for training, the Niger Delta was left out. Today, we are still fighting for employment opportunities for our people. And when recruitment happens, federal character principles are ignored in favor of population size, which works against us.”

Senator Friday’s remarks underscore the long-standing grievances of the Niger Delta people, who continue to demand fair treatment and development initiatives that match the wealth extracted from their land.

In a resolution following the motion by Sen. Banigo Ipalibo Harry (Rivers West), the Senate urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to take immediate action in line with its corporate social responsibility and environmental safety commitments. It directed the company to deploy emergency response teams to assess the disaster’s impact and implement remediation measures for affected communities.

The Senate also mandated the National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to investigate the cause of the spill and fire, with a report due in four weeks.

Call for Swift Action

Presenting the motion, Sen. Banigo expressed deep concern over the environmental destruction, displacement of residents, and health risks posed by the spill. She noted that recurring oil spills and fire outbreaks in the Niger Delta were often linked to weak safety protocols, sabotage, or lax enforcement of environmental laws.

“The pollutants pose significant health risks, including respiratory diseases, waterborne infections, and long-term effects such as cancer and organ damage, worsening the region’s public health crisis,” she warned.

She also highlighted the contamination of rivers, farmlands, and aquatic life—critical sources of livelihood for communities in Buguma Asalga, Ifoko Asalga, and Bukuma (Agum) in Degema.

Lawmakers voiced concerns over delayed responses from oil companies and regulatory agencies, which they said exacerbated the suffering of affected communities and eroded public trust in environmental law enforcement.

To address the humanitarian crisis, the Senate called on the Ecological Project Management Committee (EPMC) to deploy intervention funds to affected victims. It also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief and tackle the ecological, health, and social consequences of the disaster.

Senators Reaction

Sen. Friday Benson Kombowei (Bayelsa Central) condemned the continued hardship faced by Niger Delta communities due to oil exploration. He pushed back against claims that sabotage by locals caused the fire and spill.

“You have pipelines running through people’s homes and business areas—what do you expect?” he asked. “People are already suffering. There are health issues now that we never had before.”

Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), former chairman of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, called for a complete overhaul of oil infrastructure, including pipelines and flow stations.

“Failure to act means sacrificing many lives for the benefit of a few,” he warned.

Sen. Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) urged NOSDRA to impose heavy fines on operators responsible for environmental destruction, labeling their actions as “irresponsible.”

The Senate’s resolutions signal a renewed push for accountability and stronger regulatory enforcement in the wake of yet another environmental disaster in the Niger Delta.

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