Environmental Advocate Urges Immediate Clean-Up, Independent Probe and Compensation for Affected Communities
By Onyekachukwu Utebor, Warri
Environmental rights and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has called on the Federal Government, Delta State Government and relevant regulatory agencies to declare an environmental emergency following a reported massive crude oil spill affecting several communities in Warri South-West and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State.
Mulade described the incident as an environmental disaster with potentially devastating consequences for the environment, public health and the livelihoods of thousands of residents if urgent action is not taken.
According to him, the spill is allegedly linked to facilities operated by Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited across Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 26, 34, 38, 41 and 42, with crude oil transported through the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP). He alleged that the ageing 18-inch pipeline, constructed in the early 1980s, has exceeded its operational lifespan and now poses serious environmental and public health risks to host communities.
Mulade said rivers, creeks, mangrove forests and farmlands serving as the economic backbone of the affected communities have reportedly been contaminated, leaving fishermen unable to access traditional fishing grounds while destroying farmlands relied upon by local farmers.
He called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to immediately contain the reported spill, deploy emergency response teams, commence comprehensive environmental remediation and restoration, and maintain transparent engagement with affected communities.
The environmental advocate also demanded an independent Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) involving regulatory agencies, host communities, environmental experts and civil society organisations to determine the actual cause, extent and environmental impact of the reported spill.
Mulade further urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Environment to urgently investigate the incident and ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s environmental laws.
He also appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance, medical intervention, environmental clean-up and adequate compensation for residents whose livelihoods have allegedly been affected, warning that failure by both oil operators and government regulators to respond swiftly could worsen environmental degradation, increase public health risks and heighten social tension in already vulnerable host communities.
As of the time of filing this report, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, NOSDRA and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the reported oil spill.
IBN News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
