By AUGUSTINA McSOLOMON-OGHAKPERUO

Uzere Wellhead Blow-Out Threatens Farms, Fisheries as HOMEF Demands Urgent Containment

Pollution Fears Grow in Uzere

THE Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for the immediate containment of a wellhead blow-out at OML 30 in Uzere, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The environmental organisation said the incident occurred at Well 14 on 26 June and had continued to release crude oil, gas and associated petroleum fluids into the surrounding environment.

HOMEF raised the alarm in a field report released on Saturday in Yenagoa.

The foundation said the continued discharge was creating growing concerns about environmental damage in a community that depends heavily on farming and fishing.

Farms & Fish Ponds at Risk

According to HOMEF, the affected wellhead is located close to farmlands, fish ponds and a gas flare facility.

The organisation warned that the potential consequences could become more severe if the pollution spreads into adjoining areas.

It also expressed concern about the approaching flood season.

Floodwaters could potentially carry oil and other pollutants into farms, ponds, lakes and swamps, expanding the area affected by the incident.

HOMEF therefore urged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, the operator of OML 30, to immediately contain the wellhead and begin environmental clean-up and remediation.

Community Demands Immediate Action

The Uzere community has also called for urgent intervention.

Chairman of the Uzere Oil and Gas Committee, Sylvanus Evroro, said a similar incident had occurred in the same oil field about a decade ago but was eventually contained.

He said the current incident posed a more serious threat because of its potential impact on agriculture and fisheries.

According to Evroro, about 90 per cent of residents depend on farming and fishing for their livelihoods.

He warned that continued leakage could contaminate farms, fish ponds, lakes and surrounding swamps.

The community is particularly concerned about the possibility of flooding spreading the pollution beyond the immediate location of the damaged wellhead.

HOMEF Seeks Independent Investigation

Beyond containment, HOMEF is calling for a transparent investigation into the incident.

The organisation urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit and make its report publicly available.

It also called for unrestricted access to the site for regulators, affected communities and independent observers.

The demand reflects concerns about the need for an independent assessment of the scale, cause and environmental consequences of the incident.

HOMEF further urged the Federal and Delta State governments to work together on environmental restoration, compensation for affected communities and long-term monitoring.

Heritage Energy Confirms Incident

Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited confirmed that the incident occurred.

Its General Manager, Esosa Anenih, said investigation and containment efforts were already underway.

She explained that the affected facility was a corked non-producing well.

According to her, the company was working with regulators and representatives of the host community to contain the incident.

She also said the company had reported the incident to NOSDRA as required by law.

“We are investigating the cause of the explosion from the well,” Anenih said.

The Larger Environmental Concern

The Uzere incident has revived concerns about the environmental risks associated with ageing oil infrastructure in communities across the Niger Delta.

For communities whose livelihoods depend on land and water, the consequences of an oil release can extend beyond the immediate site of an incident.

Agricultural land, fishing grounds and water bodies can become vulnerable to contamination, while prolonged pollution can create additional economic and environmental pressures.

The immediate priority in Uzere is therefore containment.

But the longer-term response will depend on the outcome of the investigation, the scale of the affected area and the effectiveness of subsequent clean-up and remediation efforts.

Containment Before Flooding

With the community warning of possible flooding, pressure is mounting for a rapid response.

The key questions now are how quickly the well can be secured, how much petroleum has escaped, whether nearby land and water bodies have been contaminated, and what measures will be taken to protect residents and their livelihoods.

For Uzere residents, the issue extends beyond the damaged wellhead.

It is about protecting the farms, fisheries and waterways on which much of the community’s economy depends.

The response to the incident will therefore test not only the operator’s emergency preparedness but also the effectiveness of regulatory oversight and environmental protection mechanisms in the Niger Delta.