ASABA: Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention and urgent environmental measures following an oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline, which has affected hundreds of communities in the state.
Oborevwori gave the directive on Tuesday during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where he expressed concern over the growing impact of the pollution on residents, livelihoods and the environment.
The governor directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to the affected communities to examine residents and assess the possible health consequences 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,” Oborevwori said.
The governor was accompanied during the inspection by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor; Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale; Commander of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Buhari; Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Warri, Commodore Shehu Tasiu; Commander of the 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.
Oborevwori said the government’s response would not be limited to the distribution of relief materials, stressing that residents exposed to the pollution must receive proper medical assessments.
He also directed Heritage Energy to deploy its own medical team and provide relief materials to affected residents.
According to the governor, the medical teams are expected to visit the affected communities, evaluate the health and environmental consequences of the incident and recommend appropriate interventions.
He added that the exercise would extend to other communities affected by the spill.
The governor further called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and the host communities, saying sustained engagement would be necessary to resolve the crisis and prevent the situation from escalating.
Oborevwori assured residents that his administration would continue engaging relevant stakeholders until their concerns were addressed, while commending security agencies for helping to maintain peace during the intervention.
The governor disclosed that the number of communities affected by the oil spill had increased significantly.
According to him, an initial assessment identified about 86 affected communities, but the figure had now risen to 216.
Oborevwori said the operating company had assured the state government that its technical operations would be concluded and that clean-up activities would be completed before the end of October.
He said discussions on compensation and other measures would commence after the clean-up exercise.
The governor, however, warned that commitments made by the company must be fulfilled, adding that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
He also appealed to 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 expressed concern over the impact of the pollution on fishing, which remains a major source of livelihood for many residents of the affected communities.
He said the pollution had disrupted fishing activities, resulting in scarcity and increased prices of fish.
The governor stressed that the crisis should not be viewed solely as a compensation dispute, but as an environmental and humanitarian emergency requiring the restoration of the affected ecosystem, protection of lives and preservation of residents’ livelihoods.
As part of the government’s 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, Moses Ogodo, to monitor the implementation of the directives issued to the oil company and report back to him.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, said the company remained committed to working with the Delta State Government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
Wilbert said the immediate priority was to complete the technical operations required to safely restore normal operations.
He listed the ongoing activities as installation, stopping the spill and pressure testing.
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.
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Doubra Okotete, called for urgent measures to stop the pollution.
Okotete alleged that crude oil was still being pumped through leaking pipelines and urged the relevant authorities and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation of the affected environment.
He also called for compensation for residents whose livelihoods had been affected and increased medical support, particularly for people experiencing respiratory problems.
The Chairman of Odidi Community, Truston Gbenekama, thanked Governor Oborevwori for visiting the area and appealed for additional infrastructure, including a landing jetty, modern health centre and potable water.
Gbenekama also called for the reclamation of the polluted environment and sustained intervention to protect the community from the long-term consequences of the oil spill.
