Banner Online News

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has assured the people of Uzere Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area that his administration will ensure oil companies operating in the area meet their obligations to communities affected by oil spills and other environmental challenges.

Oborevwori gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to the spill sites in Uzere, where he assessed the extent of the damage and gathered first-hand information to guide the state government’s engagement with the operating company.

The governor said his administration had been monitoring developments in Uzere and other affected communities, including Odidi, through reports from officials, community leaders and other stakeholders, but considered it necessary to visit the locations personally.

He recalled that after a similar incident in Odidi, the state government deployed more than 100 medical personnel to provide healthcare services to residents, adding that a similar intervention would be extended to Uzere.

He directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, to ensure that residents of the affected communities, including those in Uzere town, received medical attention and examinations to establish possible health implications of the incident.

Oborevwori said the government had engaged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the operating company, and received explanations on the measures taken to contain the spill. He noted that the company had held preliminary engagements with the host communities before beginning containment and cleanup, and expressed satisfaction that the cleanup was already underway.

The governor, however, said the cleanup must be followed by proper remediation of the environmental damage. He urged the company to sustain its engagement with the communities and address their legitimate concerns.

He also cautioned residents against interpreting delays in addressing some of their complaints as a lack of commitment by the government, insisting that due process must be followed.

“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 and 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.

Oborevwori commended the people for keeping the peace despite their grievances, stressing that dialogue remained the most effective means of resolving disputes between host communities and oil companies. He urged Heritage Energy to cooperate with the communities and take their concerns seriously, assuring them of the government’s support in securing a fair resolution.

Company’s Account

Earlier, the company’s Manager, Government and Community Relations, Dr. Jeremiah Oharisi, said Heritage Energy received information about gas build-up at the well on June 27.

He explained that the well had two production strings, Lima and Syria, which were shut down in 2019 and 2023 respectively, leaving it inactive before the incident. According to him, gas accumulated in the reservoir and eventually forced its way to the surface, causing bubbling and the escape of some crude oil.

Oharisi said the company immediately activated emergency response measures, including securing the affected area, sensitising the host community, evacuating residents from the vicinity and deploying fire trucks. Efforts to contain and recover the escaping crude were also initiated, he added.

Community Reaction

However, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, Chief Edward Onyagbodor, lamented that the company’s intervention had been largely limited to palliatives estimated at between N10.2 million and N10.6 million.

A former President-General of the Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, also urged the governor to prevail on Heritage Energy to show greater commitment to the welfare of its host communities. He disclosed that OML 30, operated by the company, has 112 host communities, made up of 89 Urhobo, 13 Isoko, 6 Ijaw and 4 Itsekiri communities.