Trans-Forcados Oil Spill: Oborevwori Orders Medical Intervention, Approves Odidi Jetty

…As affected communities rise from 86 to 216

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention and urgent environmental cleanup in communities affected by the Trans-Forcados pipeline oil spill, warning that the state government would not allow residents to suffer unnecessarily.

Oborevwori gave the directive during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where he directed the Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to affected communities to assess residents and determine the health implications of prolonged exposure to the pollution.

The governor, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and DSS, said the situation required urgent and decisive action.

“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.”

He said the intervention would go beyond the distribution of relief materials, stressing that residents must undergo medical assessment because of the possible health consequences of the oil pollution.

Oborevwori also directed Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) to deploy medical teams and provide relief materials to affected communities, while directing the relevant government agencies to monitor the cleanup and remediation process.

Affected communities rise to 216

The governor disclosed that the number of communities affected by the Trans-Forcados oil spill had increased from an initial 86 to 216 communities.

According to him, the operating company had assured the state government that its technical operations would be concluded and the cleanup completed before the end of October, after which discussions on compensation and other measures would commence.

He warned that commitments made by the oil company must be honoured, adding that government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.

The governor also called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and host communities, while appealing to residents to remain peaceful and pursue their demands through dialogue and due process.

Oborevwori approves Odidi jetty, health centre

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 compliance with his directives and report back to him.

The governor said the pollution had severely disrupted fishing, a major source of livelihood for residents, leading to scarcity and increased prices of fish.

He stressed that the crisis was not only about compensation but also about restoring the environment, protecting lives and safeguarding livelihoods.

Heritage Energy speaks

General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, said the company was committed to working with the Delta State Government, host communities, NUPRC and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

He said the immediate priority was to complete ongoing technical operations, including installation, stopping the spill and pressure testing, to safely restore normal operations.

Wilbert added that the company would work with regulators and affected communities to assess environmental damage, clean up impacted areas and provide appropriate compensation.

Meanwhile, President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Doubra Okotete, called for urgent action to stop the pollution, alleging that crude oil was still being pumped through leaking pipelines.

He called for comprehensive remediation, compensation and increased medical support, particularly for residents experiencing respiratory problems.

Chairman of Odidi Community, Comrade Truston Gbenekama, thanked the governor for the visit and appealed for a landing jetty, health centre, potable water and environmental reclamation of the community.