Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered medical examinations for residents of Uzere Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area following an oil spill, as he urged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to address the environmental concerns of the community.
The governor gave the directive on Friday during a visit to the affected sites, where he assessed the damage and met with community leaders and representatives of the oil company.
He directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, to organise medical checks for residents of the affected areas and other parts of Uzere to determine possible health effects of the incident.
Oborevwori said the state government would ensure that the company fulfilled its obligations to the host community, adding that the response must go beyond containing the spill to include proper environmental cleanup and remediation.
He said, “I am here to see things for ourselves, meet with the host community and engage with the company.”
The governor disclosed that Heritage Energy had briefed the state government on its response and held preliminary discussions with the host communities. He, however, insisted that the company must address the legitimate concerns of affected residents.
Recalling the government’s response to a similar incident in Odidi community, Oborevwori said more than 100 medical personnel were deployed there and assured Uzere residents of similar attention.
He appealed to the community to remain peaceful and urged the oil company to maintain open communication with residents and take their complaints seriously.
Earlier, the Manager, Government and Community Relations of Heritage Energy, Dr Jeremiah Oharisi, said the company was alerted to a 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.
According to him, accumulated gas in the reservoir eventually forced its way to the surface, causing bubbling and the escape of some crude oil.
Oharisi said the company responded by securing the affected area, sensitising the community, evacuating residents from the vicinity and deploying fire trucks. He added that measures were taken to contain and recover the escaping crude.
However, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, Chief Edward Onyagbodor, faulted the company’s intervention, claiming that it had largely been limited to the distribution of palliatives estimated at between N10.2m and N10.6m.
Also speaking, a former President-General of the Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, urged the governor to ensure that Heritage Energy took greater responsibility for the welfare of communities affected by its operations.
Amadhe said Oil Mining Lease 30, operated by the company, had 112 host communities, comprising 89 Urhobo, 13 Isoko, six Ijaw and four Itsekiri communities.
