Otuabagi: Unserved and Neglected – A Plea for Renewable Energy

• Forum Advocates for ‘Renewable Energy Transition and Just Action’ for Communities Affected by Oil Exploration

On January 31st, 2025, a group of journalists and activists embarked on a field trip to Otuabagi, a community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

This historic village holds the distinction of being the site of Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery. However, decades of oil extraction have left Otuabagi grappling with environmental degradation, poverty, and a sense of abandonment.

The visit, organized as part of the Media-Community Dialogue on Renewable Energy Democracy and convened by Connected Advocacy, was a continuation of the project. It is aimed at amplifying the voices of communities and advocate for a just transition to renewable energy sources.

A Tale of Pillage…

But the visitors got more than they bargained for as they met a wasteland. Years of oil spills, gas flaring, and environmental degradation have ravaged the once fertile lands of Otuabagi, impacting livelihoods and destroying the local ecosystem.

While this is almost symptomatic of he general condition in oil producing areas of the Niger Delta, what is more harrowing is that Otuabagi is the original site of the first commercial oil well drilled in Nigeria. For over 60 years had wallowed in abject negligence, blackouts and degradation.

During the visit, community leaders, elders, and women shared harrowing accounts of the devastating impact of oil exploitation.

Chief Ezekiel Joseph John, Chairman of the Community Development Committee, lamented the community’s neglect despite its historical significance, stating, “They came and took all our resources, and now, we are left with nothing.”

He shared the painful reality that despite Otuabagi being home to the first oil discovery in Nigeria, the community had never been considered in the Host Community Trust Fund provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which was meant to allocate resources and provide benefits to communities impacted by oil activities.

“Our lands have been destroyed, and the future generations will bear the consequences of the greed of oil companies.” Chief Joseph John.

The environmental damage to Otuabagi has been severe. The once fertile lands, where the community was primarily dependent on farming for survival, are now completely degraded. Biodiversity has been destroyed, and the ecosystem that supported their agriculture has been ruined. The women who spoke during the meeting echoed the sentiments of the elders, deeply mourning the loss of their natural resources and their livelihoods.

Can We At least Have Power?

The visit by the journalists, did trigger a ray of hope that could bring about succour in the form of power to, at least ameliorate their dire circumstances.

Mrs. Daniel Azibe, a local teacher, emphasized the urgent need for renewable energy solutions, stating it could be an avenue to restore some semblance of hope and progress.

“We have tried everything we could with our farms, but the land no longer yields. We are here to call on you to help us restore our community and allow us to move into a future with clean energy. This is a fight for our children and our grandchildren.” she stated

She further emphasized that transitioning to renewable energy, such as solar power and other clean energy sources, would help the community restore the green days of Otuabagi, when farming was thriving and biodiversity was abundant.

“The oil has taken everything from us, but we believe renewable energy can bring back the life that has been lost,” Mrs. Azibe added.

A Ravaged Shell…

The plight of the community was further underscored by the heartbreaking testimony of an elderly woman in her 80s who lamented the loss of biodiversity and the devastating impact of oil pollution on her family. “Look at this shell,” she said, holding up a snail shell, “It represents the richness we had before the oil companies came. Now, our lands are barren, our rivers polluted, and our children are dying.”

“I have buried four out of six sons because of the violence caused by oil companies.” She paused, with shaky voice, deeply pained.
“My children wey I suffer to train, them don die finish.”

The visit to the local health center further highlighted the community’s neglect. The dilapidated facility, overrun with rodents and insects, starkly contrasted with the wealth generated from the oil extracted from their land.

The group also witnessed firsthand the environmental damage caused by abandoned oil wells, with visible traces of crude oil polluting the surrounding land. This stark reality underscored the urgent need for environmental remediation and a just transition to a more sustainable future.

The story of Otuabagi serves as a poignant reminder of the environmental and social costs of oil extraction in the Niger Delta. The community’s struggle for survival highlights the urgent need for renewable energy solutions, environmental restoration, and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of resource extraction are shared equitably with the communities that bear the greatest burden.

Next Steps…

This visit was a crucial step in ensuring that renewable energy becomes not just an option, but a necessity for communities like Otuabagi, who have long been neglected by the oil industry and government policies. The stories shared by the elders, women, and community leaders will serve as a rallying cry for change, and it is clear that renewable energy solutions must be part of the Niger Delta’s future.

Exploitation, neglect, and abandonment have defined the past. But with renewable energy, there is hope for a greener, more sustainable future. Otuabagi’s story is one of resilience, and its people deserve a chance to rebuild their community, restore their land, and thrive once again.

The forum came out with the following recommendations after the visit:

1. Renewable energy projects must be prioritized in communities like Otuabagi, to restore the land and provide sustainable energy solutions for the future.
2. Environmental restoration efforts should begin immediately to address the damage caused by oil exploration and prevent further degradation.
3. Government and oil companies must be held accountable for the damage done to these communities and provide adequate compensation and support for the recovery of affected areas.
4. Media outlets should continue to amplify the voices of communities like Otuabagi, bringing attention to their plight and advocating for sustainable energy solutions to drive positive change.

The visit was purposed to be part of a campaign on amplifying the voices of local communities on the need for renewable energy through media. It however turned out to be a “Desperate Appeal for Help” for Otuabagi community and indeed, other communities abandoned and wallowing in abject desolation.