Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention and intensified measures to address the environmental and health impact of the oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline, as the number of affected communities rises from an initial 86 to 216.
Oborevwori gave the directives during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where he expressed concern over the scale of the pollution and its impact on residents and their livelihoods.
The Governor directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to the affected communities to examine residents, assess possible health implications of prolonged exposure to the pollution and determine appropriate medical interventions.
He also directed Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) to deploy medical personnel and provide relief materials to affected communities, stressing that the state’s response must go beyond the distribution of relief items.
“We have to take this matter seriously. Once you see what is happening, you realise that it is a very big issue. We don’t want our people dying at this time. We cannot afford to lose our focus or waste time. We have to act quickly and decisively,” the Governor said.
Oborevwori said the medical intervention would cover all communities affected by the incident, while environmental assessments would also be undertaken to determine the extent of the damage and the measures required for remediation.
He called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and the host communities, saying sustained engagement was necessary to resolve the crisis, reduce tension and ensure that the concerns of the affected residents were properly addressed.
The Governor assured the communities that his administration would continue to engage relevant stakeholders until the issues arising from the spill were addressed. He also commended the security agencies for maintaining peace during the intervention.
Speaking to residents, Oborevwori disclosed that the number of communities affected by the spill had risen from an initial 86 to 216 following further assessments.
He said the operating company had assured the state government that the ongoing technical process would be concluded and that cleanup operations would be completed before the end of October, after which discussions on compensation and other remedial measures would commence with the affected communities.
The Governor warned that commitments made by the oil company must be honoured, adding that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
He, however, appealed to residents of the affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the government would continue to pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.
Oborevwori noted that the pollution had severely affected fishing, which remains the major source of livelihood for many residents, leading to scarcity and increased prices of fish.
He stressed that the crisis should not be viewed solely from the perspective of compensation, but also in terms of restoring the environment, protecting human lives and safeguarding the livelihoods of the affected people.
As part of the intervention, the Governor approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi community and directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area to construct a modern health centre for the community.
He further directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Mr. Moses Ogodo, to monitor compliance with the timelines given to the oil company and report progress to him.
The Governor was accompanied on the inspection by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale; Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Buhari; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Warri, Commodore Shehu Tasiu; Commander, 3144 Operating Base, Nigerian Air Force, Warri, Group Capt. Charles Abara; State Director of the Department of State Services, Dr. Peter Afunanya; and other senior government officials.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, said the company was committed to working with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
Wilbert said the company’s immediate priority was to complete the ongoing technical operations, including installation, stopping the spill and pressure testing, to safely restore normal operations.
He added that the company would work with regulatory authorities and affected communities to assess the environmental damage, clean up impacted areas and provide appropriate compensation.
President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Doubra Okotete, called for urgent measures to halt the pollution, alleging that crude oil was still being pumped through leaking pipelines.
Okotete urged the authorities and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation and compensate affected residents, while also calling for increased medical support, particularly for residents experiencing respiratory problems.
Chairman of Odidi Community, Comrade Truston Gbenekama, thanked Governor Oborevwori for visiting the community and appealed for the provision of a landing jetty, health centre and potable water, as well as the reclamation of areas affected by the pollution.
