… Assures Stakeholders
Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) has intensified its comprehensive environmental remediation and cleanup activities in Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area, following the containment of the recent oil spill at the Well 14 facility.
The company has deployed enhanced technical strategies and scaled up community engagement to address the environmental impact caused by the reservoir gas buildup and subsequent crude escape. In addition to its ongoing cleanup operations, Heritage Energy is working in close alignment with state authorities, regulatory bodies, and host communities to roll out robust medical outreaches, provide relief, and ensure long-term environmental restoration of the affected farmlands and water bodies
Reports from Joint Investigation Visits (JIV) also showed active participation of statutory government regulatory agencies, the oil company alongside community representatives. Spill response teams worked urgently to contain the impacted footprint and recover spilled crude to forestall environmental risks.
The company deployed fire trucks, secured the immediate vicinity of Well 14, and evacuated residents closest to the bubbling crude.
Reports also confirmed the company has provided initial palliatives to the affected host communities, which local leadership estimates to be worth over ₦10 million in the first instance, with the distribution of food stuff and other palliatives to the affected areas on-going.
Confirming the report, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, during his visit to the area, noted that the company had undertaken preliminary engagements with the host communities before commencing containment and cleanup operations, expressing satisfaction in the cleanup exercise. He said that HEOSL has initiated its containment and recovery exercises, with cleanup operations ongoing.
He cautioned residents against interpreting the time taken to address some of their complaints as lack of commitment, insisting 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.
The grassroots interventions associated with Heritage including the distribution of relief materials, engagement of volunteer community leaders and efforts to repair electricity infrastructure, highlight the importance of practical interventions in addressing the challenges facing riverine communities.
The operator has committed to continuing structured dialogue with the Uzere traditional council regarding broader environmental remediation and eventual compensation once the spill is entirely contained.
As part of its commitment to environmental transparency and greenhouse gas reduction targets, the company is said to be actively addressing air quality impacts. Its Technical teams are conducting ongoing assessments of methane and other hydrocarbon emissions at the incident site. Emission data is being integrated into the broader environmental remediation plan to ensure compliance with national air quality standards.
The company remains fully committed to a transparent, safe, and swift resolution of this incident, ensuring minimum impact on the Uzere community.
Experts say that Heritage Energy prioritizes the safety of its host communities and the preservation of the local environment. As at present, specialized foreign technical experts are still on ground to execute advanced well-control procedures and to ensure safe prevention of further leaks.
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 medical intervention is being extended to Uzere in addition to Heritage’s remediation efforts.
He 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.
Oborevwori said the government had engaged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the operating company, and received explanations on 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 cleanup exercise was already underway.
The Governor, however, said that the exercise must be followed by appropriate remediation to address the environmental damage, urging the company to sustain its engagement with the communities and ensure that their legitimate concerns were addressed.
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.
