‘Oil spill ruins livelihoods in Ondo community’
Residents of Abereke community in the Mahin area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over the devastating impact of an oil spill that has
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Residents of Abereke community in the Mahin area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over the devastating impact of an oil spill that has crippled fishing activities and destroyed their major sources of livelihood.
The aggrieved residents said the spill had wreaked havoc on their fishing equipment, boats and other economic activities, leaving many families struggling to survive.
In a Save Our Soul (SoS) letter dated March 10, 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Mr Maurice Oripenaiye, the community lamented the worsening living conditions of residents following the incident.
The letter, read by the General Secretary of the community, Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, said the oil spill had severely affected the coastline and rendered fishing activities almost impossible for the largely fishing-dependent population.
According to him, several complaints had earlier been sent to the Ondo State Ministry of Environment, but no meaningful intervention had been made.
"Our only means of livelihood is gone. We have written several letters and complaints to the Ondo State Ministry of Environment, but nothing has been done" Aiyedatiwa said in the copy of the letter obtained by The Nation.
He added: "The spill occurred last October. Up till now, there has been no meaningful action to alleviate the suffering of the impacted people along the coastline.
"The oil companies involved are Shell and Guaranty Petroleum Nigeria Limited based in Lagos State. They have also failed to respond to our pleas.
“As you can see, we are languishing here as a result of the oil spillage. All our fishing activities are stranded. We are begging them to please help us.
“The oil is taken from our land and we are suffering."
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He appealed to the local government chairman, the state government led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the federal government and well-meaning individuals to urgently intervene and rescue the community from the hardship caused by the spill.
Also speaking, the youth leader of the community, Mr Gbemileke Ogunbayo, described the Abereke community as a coastal settlement where the majority of residents depend on fishing for survival.
He said the oil spill had destroyed fishing nets, boats, engines, houses and animals, leaving residents with little means of sustaining their families.
"Our only means of livelihood is gone, Mr Ogunbayo lamented.
In similar vein, the Liaison Officer in charge of Oil and Gas in Ilaje Local Government, Mr Olamigoke Omojuwa, expressed concern over the untold hardship inflicted on the people of the community due to the negligence of the oil companies involved.
He also called on governments at all levels to provide urgent assistance and alternative means of livelihood for the affected residents.
Responding, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Mr Oripenaiye, lauded the people of Abereke for their patience and assured them that their complaints would be forwarded to the government and other relevant authorities for prompt attention.
He disclosed that he and other officials had visited the community to assess the extent of damage caused by the oil spill.
