Oborevwori Inspects Devastating Seven-Month Oil Spill In Odidi, Promises Medical Support, Clean up, Compensation

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

Following the prolonged uncleaned oil spill in Odidi Federated Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, the Governor of the state, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday pays on-the-spot assessment visit to the area to inspect the environmental impact in the affected communities.

Governor Oborevwori, who was accompanied by top government functionaries, officials of relevant ministries, members of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, and leaders of Odidi community inspected the impacted sites including the Keremor manifold area and the polluted waterways, where crude oil from the Trans-Forcados trunkline had continued to spread.

Speaking during the visit, the governor expressed deep concern over the environmental and humanitarian impact of the spill on residents whose primary means of livelihood were fishing and farming, noting that the continued pollution poses serious health risks to the affected communities.

In an immediate response to the health concerns raised by community leaders, Governor Oborevwori ordered the Delta State Ministry of Health to deploy medical teams to the affected communities to provide urgent medical assistance and health surveillance for residents exposed to the spill.

He assured the people of the Odidi Federated Community that his administration under the MORE Agenda would not abandon oil-bearing communities in times of distress, stressing that the welfare and safety of Deltans remained paramount.

The Governor also disclosed that the state government would engage the operating oil company, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to ensure immediate containment, clean-up and remediation of the impacted environment.

Various stakeholders, IYC president, Dr Doubra Okotete, Community leaders, including Chairman of Odidi Federated Community, Mr. Truston Gbenekama commended the governor for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of responsive leadership, and appealed for sustained intervention to restore their livelihoods.

The Odidi oil spill, which was first reported in February, had reportedly spread to adjoining communities, crippling economic activities and contaminating water sources.