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Governor approves jetty and health centre for Odidi as number of impacted communities more than doubles

WARRI, Delta State — Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered immediate medical intervention and urgent cleanup measures in communities hit by the Trans-Forcados pipeline oil spill, as the number of affected communities has risen from 86 to 216.

The governor gave the directives during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, saying the state would not allow residents to suffer unnecessarily.

“We have to take this matter seriously,” Oborevwori said. “We don’t want our people dying at this time. We have to act quickly and decisively.”

He directed the State Commissioner for Health to deploy medical teams to examine residents and determine the health implications of the pollution. He stressed that the intervention must go beyond relief materials because of the risks posed by prolonged exposure. Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the pipeline operator, was also directed to deploy medical teams and provide relief materials.

Timeline for cleanup

Oborevwori said the company had assured the government that the technical process would be concluded and cleanup completed before the end of October. Affected communities would then be engaged on compensation and other measures. He warned that the company must honour its commitments and that the government would take steps to ensure compliance.

The governor said the crisis had severely hit fishing, the main livelihood for many residents, leading to fish scarcity and higher prices. He added that the issue was not only about compensation but about restoring the environment, protecting lives and safeguarding livelihoods.

He called for genuine dialogue between the operator and host communities, appealed for peace, and commended security agencies for maintaining calm. He said the government would pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.

Jetty and health centre approved

At Odidi, the governor approved construction of a landing jetty and directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government to build a modern health centre. He also directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and for Environment, Mr Moses Ogodo, to monitor compliance with his directives to the company and report back.

He was accompanied by Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Emomotimi Guwor, Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale, and heads of the Army’s 63 Brigade, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, the Nigerian Air Force’s 3144 Operating Base, and the Department of State Services.

Company, community react

Nelson Wilbert, General Manager, Operations Integrity at HEOSL, said the company was committed to working with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other stakeholders. He said the immediate priority was completing ongoing technical operations, including installation, stopping the spill and pressure testing, to restore normal operations safely. The company would also help assess the damage, clean up affected areas and provide appropriate compensation, he said.

Ijaw Youth Council President Doubra Okotete called for urgent action to halt the pollution, alleging that crude was still being pumped through leaking pipelines. He urged comprehensive remediation, compensation for residents and increased medical support, particularly for those with respiratory problems.

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