Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) to sustain its cleanup operations and undertake appropriate environmental remediation at oil spill sites in Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area, assuring affected communities of the state government’s support.
Oborevwori gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to the affected sites, where he assessed the extent of the damage and obtained 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 government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders, but considered it necessary to visit the locations personally.
He recalled that following 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.
Oborevwori directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, to ensure that residents of the affected communities received appropriate medical attention, including examinations to establish possible health implications of the incident.
He added that the medical outreach would also cover residents of Uzere town.
The governor said the government had engaged Heritage Energy, the operating company, and received explanations about the measures taken to contain the incident.
He noted that the company had undertaken preliminary engagements with the host communities before commencing containment and cleanup operations, expressing satisfaction that the exercise was already underway.
However, he stressed that the cleanup must be followed by appropriate environmental remediation to address the damage caused by the incident.
The governor urged the company to sustain its engagement with the host communities and ensure that their legitimate concerns were addressed.
He also cautioned residents against interpreting delays in resolving some of their complaints as a lack of commitment by the government, explaining that due process and established procedures 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 maintaining 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 host communities and take their concerns seriously, assuring them that his administration would continue to support efforts to secure a fair resolution.
Earlier, the Manager of Government and Community Relations at Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Dr. Jeremiah Oharisi, said the company received information about gas build-up at the well on June 27.
He explained that the well had two production strings, known as Lima and Syria, which were shut down in 2019 and 2023, respectively, leaving it inactive before the incident.
According to Oharisi, gas accumulated in the reservoir and eventually forced its way to the surface, causing bubbling and the escape of some crude oil.
He 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.
Oharisi added that efforts were also initiated to contain and recover the escaping crude oil.
However, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, Chief Edward Onyagbodor, lamented that the company’s intervention had largely been limited 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, urged the governor to prevail on Heritage Energy to demonstrate greater commitment to the welfare 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.
