Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention and urgent environmental measures following the devastating oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline, assuring affected communities that his administration would not allow residents to suffer unnecessarily.
The governor gave the directive during an inspection visit to Odidi Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, where he expressed concern over the growing impact of the pollution on residents, livelihoods and the environment.
Oborevwori directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to the affected communities to assess residents and determine the health implications of prolonged exposure to the pollution.
He also directed Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, the operator of the facility, to deploy medical personnel and provide relief materials to affected residents.
According to the governor, the intervention must go beyond the distribution of relief materials, stressing that residents exposed to the pollution needed proper medical examination and treatment where necessary.
“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,” he said.
Oborevwori further directed that the medical and environmental assessment should cover all communities affected by the incident.
The governor also called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and the host communities, saying sustained engagement was necessary to resolve the crisis and prevent further tension.
He disclosed that the number of communities affected by the spill had risen from an initial 86 to 216, underscoring the widening impact of the incident.
According to him, the operating company had assured the state government that the ongoing technical operations would be concluded and the cleanup completed before the end of October, after which discussions on compensation and other remedial measures would commence.
Oborevwori warned that all commitments made by the company must be honoured, assuring the communities that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
He, however, appealed to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the government would pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.
The governor lamented that the pollution had severely affected fishing, which remains the major source of livelihood for many residents, resulting in scarcity and increased prices of fish.
He stressed that the crisis was not solely about compensation, but also about restoring the environment, protecting human lives and safeguarding the livelihoods of affected communities.
As part of immediate measures to address the needs of the people, Oborevwori approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi Community and directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area to construct a modern health centre for the community.
He also directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Mr Moses Ogodo, to monitor the implementation of the directives issued to the oil company and report back to him.
The governor was accompanied on 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.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, said the company remained committed to working with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
Wilbert said the immediate priority was to complete the ongoing technical operations, including installation, stopping of 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.
Also speaking, President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Doubra Okotete, called for urgent action to stop the pollution, alleging that crude was still being pumped through leaking pipelines.
Okotete urged the authorities and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation and compensate affected residents, while also calling for increased medical support, particularly for residents suffering respiratory problems.
Chairman of Odidi Community, Comrade Truston Gbenekama, thanked Governor Oborevwori for visiting the community and appealed for the construction of a landing jetty, health centre and provision of potable water, as well as comprehensive environmental reclamation of the community.