A prominent environmental rights activist and development advocate, Mulade Sheriff, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and relevant government agencies to urgently intervene in the worsening coastal erosion threatening Obuguru Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) and National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress, described the environmental situation in the oil-bearing Obuguru Community of Ogulagha Kingdom as alarming and capable of leading to total displacement if urgent action is not taken.
According to him, the devastating Atlantic Ocean surge around the River Forcados Estuary has continued to wash away large portions of land in the community, threatening homes, fishing settlements, economic activities, and the overall survival of residents.
He said the community now faces severe environmental and humanitarian risks as shoreline erosion continues unchecked.
“As an environmental rights advocate, I cannot remain silent while our people continue to suffer the painful realities of environmental destruction and displacement,” Mulade stated.
The activist noted that the erosion menace has already destroyed critical portions of the community and warned that Obuguru could face possible extinction without immediate shoreline protection and erosion control measures.
He called on the Federal Government, Delta State Government, and relevant intervention agencies to urgently deploy practical and sustainable solutions aimed at protecting lives and livelihoods in the affected communities.
Mulade also criticised the alleged neglect of Obuguru and neighbouring oil-bearing communities by former Eni Agip Oil Company Nigeria Limited, now operating as Oando Surgenal Limited, despite decades of oil exploration activities in the area.
He lamented that communities such as Beniboye, Isiayegbene, and Okuntu have continued to bear the environmental consequences of oil exploration, heavy marine traffic, and wave actions associated with operations around the abandoned Beniboye Oil Field.
According to him, the affected communities lack basic infrastructure, including shoreline protection facilities, healthcare services, potable water, schools, and economic empowerment programmes, despite their contributions to the nation’s oil economy.
Mulade further called for an urgent roundtable meeting involving the Federal Government, Oando Surgenal Limited, and affected host communities to address longstanding environmental and socio-economic concerns arising from years of oil exploitation.
He also advocated the engagement of internationally recognised valuers to assess the environmental damage and losses suffered by the communities, with a view to ensuring adequate compensation, remediation, and sustainable development initiatives.
The environmental advocate additionally urged authorities and oil operators to commence comprehensive end-of-life and abandonment programmes for all abandoned oil facilities within the affected areas in line with global environmental standards and best practices.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for environmental justice, sustainable development, and the protection of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta region.
