After more than eight months of a lingering crude oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline operated by Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) in Odidi Federated Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, respite seems to have come the way of residents in Odidi and more than 200 impacted communities in the area as the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention for inhabitants of the affected communities.

“The crisis is not merely about compensation. It is about restoring the environment, protecting human lives and safeguarding the livelihoods of the affected people,” the governor said during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The governor directed the State Commissioner for Health to deploy medical teams to the affected communities to assess residents and determine the health implications of the pollution, and that HEOSL should also send its own medical team as well as provide relief materials to the communities.

“We have to take this matter seriously. Once you see what is happening, you realise that it is a very big issue. We don’t want our people dying at this time. We cannot afford to lose our focus or waste time. We have to act quickly and decisively,” Oborevwori said.

The governor said the response would go beyond distributing relief items, noting that residents needed medical examinations because of the possible effects of prolonged exposure to pollution, while he stressed that the assessment would cover other areas affected by the incident.

Oborevwori called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and host communities, saying meaningful engagement was necessary to resolve the crisis and prevent further tension, and assured residents that his administration would continue engaging stakeholders until their concerns were addressed. 

The governor also commended security agencies and the people for maintaining peace in the area, and disclosed that Heritage had assured the state government that the technical process would be concluded and the cleanup completed before the end of October, after which the affected communities would then be engaged on compensation and other measures.

The governor warned that the company must honour its commitments and said the State would take necessary steps to ensure compliance, just as he also appealed to affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the matter was pursued through dialogue and due process.

The spill which has lasted for more than eight months has disrupted fishing, a major source of livelihood for many residents, as the pollution had contributed to fish scarcity and higher prices, further straining households in the affected communities.

As part of measures to address Odidi’s needs, Oborevwori approved the construction of a landing jetty and directed the Warri South-West Local Government Chairman to build a modern health centre for the community.

He also directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Moses Ogodo, to monitor the implementation of his directives to the oil company and report back to him.

HEOSL’s General Manager, Operations Integrity, Nelson Wilbert, said the company was committed to working with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

The GM said the immediate priority was to complete ongoing technical operations, including installation, stopping the spill and pressure testing, to restore normal operations safely, adding that the company would work with regulators and affected communities to assess the environmental damage, clean up impacted areas and provide appropriate compensation.

Speaking on the development, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr. Doubra Okotete, has called for urgent action to stop the pollution, while he alleged that crude was still being pumped through leaking pipelines.

The IYC leader urged authorities and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation and compensate affected residents and also called for increased medical support, particularly for residents experiencing respiratory problems.

PHOTO: Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (R), Chairman of Odidi Federated Community, Amb. Truston Gbenekama (L) and President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr. Doubra Okotete (M)