[AfricaNews] Pipeline oil spills are increasingly disrupting lives in the Niger Delta, causing significant harm to the environment and livelihoods of local communities. The latest spill has severely impacted fishing and farming, the primary sources of income in the area.
“We’ve lost millions of Naira,” laments Ikenka Genesis, a farmer. “There was rice ready for harvest, and in the fish ponds too, it was harvest season. But because of the spill, we cannot harvest, we cannot do anything.”
This marks the fourth spill in three months, sparking growing concern among environmentalists. 
Alagoa Morris, an activist, shared alarming data: “Experts have informed us that life expectancy in the Niger Delta is lower than in any other region in the country. While it’s around 41 to 42 years here, it’s about 52 to 53 years elsewhere—a difference of roughly 10 years.”
He attributes this disparity to oil industry pollution, explaining, “We are drinking, breathing, and eating hydrocarbon pollution. Life expectancy, livelihoods, and health are all severely impacted.”
Environmental activists are demanding immediate action to address the recurring spills. They also advocate for long-term strategies to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem and secure a sustainable future for its residents.
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