Oil Spill Crisis: Oborevwori Demands Urgent Cleanup, Medical Support For 216 Delta Communities
By BLESSING AGWE ODUGO
Governor Orders Immediate Medical Intervention
DELTA State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered immediate medical intervention for communities affected by the oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline.
The governor gave the directive during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area.
He also ordered urgent measures to address the environmental and economic consequences of the pollution, warning that the situation had become too serious for government to treat casually.
Oborevwori said the state would not allow residents to suffer unnecessarily from the effects of the incident.
Medical Teams to Assess Residents
The governor directed the Commissioner for Health to deploy medical teams to the affected communities.
The teams are expected to examine residents, assess possible health consequences of prolonged exposure to pollution and recommend appropriate interventions.
Oborevwori stressed that the response must go beyond distributing relief materials.
According to him, the health of residents must receive immediate attention because the pollution could create consequences that may not be visible immediately.
He also directed Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to deploy medical personnel and provide relief materials to affected residents.
Impact Expands to 216 Communities
The scale of the incident has also increased significantly.
Oborevwori disclosed that an initial assessment identified about 86 affected communities. That figure has now risen to 216.
He said the wider assessment would guide further intervention by the state government and other stakeholders.
The governor added that the operating company had assured the government that the technical work would be completed and the cleanup concluded before the end of October.
After the cleanup, he said, affected communities would be engaged on compensation and other measures.
Cleanup Must Be Completed
Oborevwori warned that commitments made by the operating company must be fulfilled.
He directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Moses Ogodo, to monitor compliance with the agreed timeline and report back to him.
The governor also called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and host communities.
He said sustained engagement would be necessary to resolve grievances and prevent further tension.
At the same time, he appealed to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the government pursues the matter through dialogue and due process.
Fishing Livelihoods Under Threat
Beyond the immediate environmental damage, the governor highlighted the economic consequences of the spill.
Fishing, which provides a major source of livelihood for many residents, has been severely affected.
The disruption has contributed to fish scarcity and rising prices, further increasing pressure on households in the affected communities.
Oborevwori therefore said the crisis should not be viewed solely through the question of compensation.
He stressed that the response must restore the environment, protect human lives and safeguard the livelihoods of residents.
Government Approves Community Projects
The state government also approved additional interventions for Odidi.
Oborevwori approved the construction of a landing jetty for the community and directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area to construct a modern health centre.
The projects are expected to address some of the community’s longstanding infrastructure needs while the broader environmental response continues.
Odidi Community Chairman Truston Gbenekama also appealed for potable water and environmental reclamation, alongside the proposed jetty and health centre.
Heritage Energy Outlines Its Response
Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited said it was working with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
The company’s General Manager, Operations Integrity, Nelson Wilbert, said its immediate priority was to complete the technical operations required to stop the spill and safely restore normal operations.
He identified installation, stoppage of the spill and pressure testing among the ongoing technical activities.
Wilbert added that the company would work with regulators and affected communities to assess environmental damage, clean impacted areas and provide appropriate compensation.
Communities Demand Faster Action
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Doubra Okotete, called for urgent action to halt the pollution.
He alleged that crude oil was still being pumped through leaking pipelines and urged authorities and operators to undertake comprehensive remediation.
Okotete also called for compensation and increased medical support, particularly for residents experiencing respiratory problems.
The governor’s inspection and directives have consequently placed health, environmental restoration and community livelihood protection at the centre of the state’s response.
The next test will be whether the promised technical work, medical intervention and cleanup are completed within the stated timeline.
