Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention for communities affected by the Trans-Forcados oil spill, as the number of affected communities rises from an initial 86 to 216.
Oborevwori also approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area and directed the construction of a modern health centre as part of measures to address the impact of the oil spill on residents.
Key Highlights
- Oborevwori orders immediate medical intervention for communities affected by the Trans-Forcados oil spill.
- Number of affected communities rises from 86 to 216.
- Governor approves construction of a landing jetty for Odidi Community.
- Warri South-West Local Government Chairman directed to build a modern health centre.
- Heritage Energy directed to provide medical teams and relief materials.
- Governor says cleanup is expected to be completed before the end of October.
- Ijaw Youth Council calls for urgent remediation, compensation and increased medical support.
Oborevwori Orders Medical Intervention
Oborevwori gave the directives during an inspection visit to Odidi Community, where he assessed the impact of the oil spill on residents and the environment.
He directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to affected communities to assess residents and determine the health implications of exposure to the pollution.
The governor said the intervention must go beyond the distribution of relief materials, stressing that residents needed proper medical examinations because of the possible health consequences of prolonged exposure to pollution.
He also directed Heritage Energy to deploy medical teams and provide relief materials to affected communities.
According to him, the medical teams would assess the environmental and health impact of the spill and determine appropriate interventions across all affected areas.
The governor said the situation had become too serious to be treated casually and called for swift action to protect residents.
Affected Communities Rise to 216
Speaking to affected residents, Oborevwori disclosed that an initial assessment had identified about 86 affected communities, but the number had since increased to 216 communities.
He said the operating company had assured the state government that the technical process would be concluded and the cleanup completed before the end of October.
The governor said discussions on compensation and other measures would commence after the cleanup exercise.
He warned that commitments made by the company must be honoured and said the state government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
Oborevwori, however, appealed to affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that his administration would pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.
Governor Approves Odidi Jetty, Health Centre
Oborevwori also approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi Community.
He 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 monitor the implementation of his directives to the oil company and report back to him.
He said the government would continue to engage relevant stakeholders until the concerns of affected communities were addressed.
Oil Spill Affects Fishing
Oborevwori lamented the impact of the pollution on fishing, which he identified as the major source of livelihood for many residents in the affected communities.
He said the disruption had resulted in fish scarcity and increased prices.
According to the governor, the crisis goes beyond compensation, stressing the need to restore the environment, protect human lives and safeguard the livelihoods of affected residents.
He also called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and host communities to resolve the crisis and prevent further tension.
The governor was accompanied during 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.
Read also:
- Oando Underwater Leak in Bayelsa Raises Environmental Concerns
- Oil Spill Cleanup In Bayelsa Below Acceptable Standards – ECARD
- As Oil Companies Divest, Who Will Clean Up Niger Delta Communities?
Heritage Energy Speaks on Cleanup
Meanwhile, General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), 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 immediate priority was to complete 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.
Ijaw Youth Council Demands Urgent Action
President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Doubra Okotete, called for urgent action 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.
He also called 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 a landing jetty, health centre, potable water and environmental reclamation.
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