Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has assured residents of Uzere Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that oil companies fulfil their responsibilities to host communities affected by oil spills and other environmental hazards.
Oborevwori gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection tour of oil spill sites in Uzere, explaining that the visit was aimed at assessing the level of environmental damage and obtaining first-hand information to strengthen the state government’s engagement with the operating company.
The governor said his administration had been following developments in Uzere and other affected communities, including Odidi, through reports from government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders. However, he stressed the need to visit the affected locations personally to obtain a clearer understanding of the situation.
Recalling the state government’s response to a similar incident in Odidi, Oborevwori disclosed that more than 100 medical personnel had been deployed to provide healthcare services to affected residents. He assured the people of Uzere that a similar medical outreach would be organised for their community.
He consequently directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, to ensure that residents of the affected areas received adequate medical attention, including medical examinations to determine the possible health consequences of the incident.
The governor added that the planned medical intervention would also extend to residents of Uzere town.
According to him, the state government had engaged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the company operating in the area, and received explanations regarding the steps taken to contain the incident.
He noted that the company had commenced preliminary consultations with the host communities before embarking on containment and cleanup operations, expressing satisfaction that the cleanup exercise was already in progress.
Oborevwori, however, emphasised that the cleanup must be followed by comprehensive environmental remediation to address the damage caused by the spill. He urged Heritage Energy to maintain open communication with the affected communities and ensure that their legitimate concerns were adequately addressed.
The governor also appealed to residents not to interpret delays in resolving some of their complaints as a lack of commitment by the government, explaining that established procedures and due process were necessary for addressing the issues.
“Delay is not denial. There are procedures and processes, and that is the reason for any delay. I am here with the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Environment, Youth Development, Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, to see things for ourselves, meet with the host community and engage with the company,” he said.
He commended the people of Uzere for maintaining peace despite their grievances, noting that dialogue remained the most effective approach to resolving disagreements between host communities and oil companies.
Oborevwori further urged Heritage Energy to cooperate with the communities and demonstrate greater sensitivity to their concerns, assuring the residents that his administration would continue to support efforts towards a fair and lasting resolution.
Earlier, the Manager of Government and Community Relations at Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Dr. Jeremiah Oharisi, disclosed that the company was alerted to a gas build-up at the well on June 27.
Oharisi explained that the well had two production strings, identified as Lima and Syria, which were shut down in 2019 and 2023, respectively, leaving the facility inactive before the incident occurred.
He said the accumulation of gas within the reservoir eventually forced its way to the surface, resulting in bubbling and the escape of some crude oil.
According to him, the company immediately activated its emergency response procedures, including securing the affected location, sensitising the host community, evacuating residents from the immediate vicinity and deploying fire trucks. He added that measures were also initiated to contain and recover the escaping crude oil.
However, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, Chief Edward Onyagbodor, expressed concern that the company’s intervention had largely been restricted to the provision of palliatives estimated at between N10.2 million and N10.6 million.
Similarly, a former President-General of the Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, appealed to the governor to prevail on Heritage Energy to show greater commitment to the welfare and environmental wellbeing of its host communities.
Amadhe disclosed that Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30, operated by Heritage Energy, had 112 host communities, comprising 89 Urhobo, 13 Isoko, six Ijaw and four Itsekiri communities.
