Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention for communities affected by the oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline, as the number of impacted communities has risen from an initial 86 to 216.
The governor also directed the relevant authorities and the operating company, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), to intensify efforts to contain the spill, clean up polluted areas and address the humanitarian consequences of the incident.
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 environmental crisis and its impact on residents and their livelihoods.
He directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to the affected communities to assess residents and determine the health implications of prolonged exposure to the pollution.
«“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.»
According to him, the state government’s intervention would not be limited to the provision of relief materials, stressing that the health of residents exposed to the pollution must be given urgent attention.
He similarly directed Heritage Energy to deploy medical personnel and provide relief materials to affected residents, while the medical teams are expected to assess the health and environmental consequences of the incident and recommend further intervention.
The governor said the exercise would extend to all communities affected by the spill.
Oborevwori also called for sustained dialogue between the operating company and the host communities, stressing that genuine engagement remained critical to resolving the crisis and preventing further tension.
He assured the affected communities that his administration would continue to engage all relevant stakeholders until their concerns were adequately addressed.
The governor disclosed that the number of communities affected by the spill had increased from 86, as initially established, to 216 following further assessments.
He said the operating company had assured the government that the ongoing technical operations would be concluded and that the cleanup exercise would be completed before the end of October.
According to him, discussions on compensation and other remedial measures would commence after the cleanup exercise.
Oborevwori, however, warned that commitments made by the operating company must be fulfilled, assuring the communities that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
He urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, insisting that the government would continue to pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.
The governor expressed concern over the impact of the pollution on fishing, which he described as the major source of livelihood for many residents, noting that the disruption had contributed to fish scarcity and rising prices.
He stressed that the crisis went beyond compensation, saying the priority should be the restoration of the environment, protection of human lives and preservation of the livelihoods of affected residents.
As part of the intervention, Oborevwori approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi Community.
He also directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area to construct a modern health centre for the community.
The governor further directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Mr Moses Ogodo, to closely monitor the implementation of the directives issued to the operating company and report back to him.
Oborevwori 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 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.
Company Explains Intervention
The General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, said the company was committed to working with the Delta 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, stoppage of the spill and pressure testing, to enable the safe restoration of normal operations.
He added that Heritage Energy would collaborate with regulatory authorities and affected communities to assess the environmental impact, undertake remediation and provide appropriate compensation.
Ijaw Youth Council Demands Urgent Action
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 government and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation of the affected areas and compensate residents who had suffered losses.
He also called for increased medical support for residents, particularly those experiencing respiratory problems.
The Chairman of Odidi Community, Comrade Truston Gbenekama, thanked the governor for visiting the community and appealed for the construction of a landing jetty and health centre, as well as the provision of potable water and comprehensive environmental reclamation.
