By Emmanuel Olugua
The scale of the Trans-Forcados pipeline oil spill in Delta State has widened dramatically, with the number of affected communities rising from an initial 86 to 216, prompting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order immediate medical intervention, environmental cleanup, and relief measures.
Oborevwori disclosed the sharp increase during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where he warned that the pollution had become too serious for anything short of urgent and comprehensive action.
The governor directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to the affected communities to examine residents and assess the 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.
He stressed that the state government’s response would go beyond distributing relief materials, insisting that residents exposed to the pollution must undergo medical assessment.
Oborevwori also directed Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to deploy medical personnel and provide relief materials to affected residents.
According to the governor, an initial assessment identified about 86 affected communities, but further evaluation has increased the figure to 216.
He said the operating company had assured the state government that the technical intervention would be completed and cleanup concluded before the end of October, after which discussions with affected communities on compensation and other remedial measures would commence.
Oborevwori warned that commitments made by the company must be honoured, assuring residents that the government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
The governor also demanded meaningful dialogue between the operator and host communities to resolve outstanding issues and prevent further tension, while appealing to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
He lamented the severe impact of the pollution on fishing, the principal livelihood of many riverine communities, noting that the disruption had contributed to fish scarcity and higher prices.
Oborevwori said the government’s concern extended beyond compensation to restoring the environment, protecting lives, and safeguarding livelihoods.
During the visit, the governor approved the construction of a landing jetty for the Odidi community and directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area, Sylvester Oromoni, to build a modern health centre for the community.
He was accompanied on the inspection by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor; Oromoni; and other senior government officials.
General Manager, Operations Integrity at Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, said the company was 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 completing technical operations, including installation works, stopping the spill, and pressure testing, before normal operations could safely resume.
He said the company would subsequently work with regulators and affected communities to assess the environmental damage, clean up impacted areas, and provide appropriate compensation.
President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Doubra Okotete, however, called for more urgent action to halt the pollution, alleging that crude oil was still being pumped through leaking pipelines.
Okotete demanded comprehensive environmental remediation and compensation for affected residents, as well as increased medical assistance, particularly for people experiencing respiratory problems.
Chairman of Odidi Community, Comrade Truston Gbenekama, thanked Oborevwori for personally visiting the area and appealed for a landing jetty, health centre, potable water, and comprehensive environmental reclamation.
Discover more from Keeping Them Honest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.