Uzere Oil Spill: Oborevwori Presses Heritage Energy To Address Host Communities’ Concerns

DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has assured residents of Uzere Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area that his administration will ensure oil companies meet their obligations to communities affected by oil spills and environmental damage.

The governor gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection of oil spill sites in Uzere. He said the visit would enable him to assess the damage and obtain first-hand information for the state government’s engagement with the operating company.

Although his administration had monitored developments through reports from officials, community leaders and other stakeholders, Oborevwori said he considered a personal visit necessary. He also cited concerns in other affected communities, including Odidi.

Recalling the state’s response to an earlier incident in Odidi, the governor said the government deployed more than 100 medical personnel to provide healthcare services to residents. He promised a similar intervention for Uzere.

Consequently, he directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, to organise appropriate medical examinations and treatment for affected residents. The exercise, he added, would also cover people living in Uzere town.

Meanwhile, Oborevwori confirmed that the government had engaged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the company operating in the area. He said the company had explained the steps it took to contain the incident.

According to the governor, Heritage Energy had held preliminary discussions with the host communities before beginning containment and cleanup operations. He expressed satisfaction that the cleanup exercise had commenced.

However, he insisted that the company must follow the cleanup with proper environmental remediation. He also urged it to maintain meaningful engagement with the communities and address their legitimate concerns.

The governor further appealed to residents not to interpret delays in resolving some complaints as government indifference. He explained that established procedures must guide the process.

“Delay is not denial,” he said, adding that he visited with commissioners responsible for oil and gas, environment, youth development, rural roads and public information to assess the situation and engage directly with the communities and company.

Oborevwori also commended the people of Uzere for maintaining peace despite their grievances. He maintained that dialogue remained the most effective way to resolve disputes between host communities and oil companies.

Earlier, Dr. Jeremiah Oharisi, Manager of Government and Community Relations at Heritage Energy, explained the circumstances surrounding the incident. He said the company received information about gas accumulation at the well on 27 June.

Oharisi disclosed that the well had two production strings, known as Lima and Syria. The company shut them down in 2019 and 2023, respectively, leaving the well inactive before the incident.

He explained that gas accumulated in the reservoir and eventually forced its way to the surface. This, he said, caused bubbling and the escape of some crude oil.

According to Oharisi, the company activated its emergency response measures immediately. These included securing the affected area, informing the host community, evacuating residents from the vicinity and deploying fire trucks.

He added that the company also began efforts to contain and recover the escaping crude oil.

Nevertheless, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, Chief Edward Onyagbodor, expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s intervention. He said its assistance had largely consisted of palliatives estimated at between ₦10.2 million and ₦10.6 million.

Similarly, former President-General of the Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, appealed to the governor to press Heritage Energy to demonstrate greater commitment to the welfare of its host communities.

Amadhe also disclosed that Oil Mining Lease 30, operated by Heritage Energy, has 112 host communities. These comprise 89 Urhobo, 13 Isoko, six Ijaw and four Itsekiri communities.

The governor’s visit therefore placed renewed attention on the need for medical support, effective containment, environmental remediation and sustained engagement between the operating company and affected communities.