Environmental rights activist and development advocate, Dr. Sheriff Mulade, has called on President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and relevant government agencies to urgently intervene in the worsening coastal erosion threatening the existence of Obuguru Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mulade, who is National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) and National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress, expressed concern over what he described as the rapid encroachment of the Atlantic Ocean on the oil-bearing community in Ogulagha Kingdom.
According to him, the erosion, driven largely by ocean surges around the River Forcados estuary, has continued to consume large portions of land, placing homes, fishing settlements, economic assets and livelihoods at risk.
The environmental advocate warned that unless urgent shoreline protection and erosion-control measures are implemented, Obuguru could face severe displacement and the possible loss of significant parts of its ancestral territory.
“Large sections of land are gradually being washed away, threatening lives, properties and the economic survival of the people. Immediate action is needed to prevent further devastation,” Mulade said.
He urged the Federal Government, Delta State Government and relevant intervention agencies to collaborate on sustainable solutions aimed at protecting vulnerable coastal communities across the Niger Delta.
Mulade also criticised what he described as decades of neglect of Obuguru and neighbouring oil-producing communities, including Beniboye, Isiayegbene and Okuntu, following years of oil exploration activities in the area.
He specifically called attention to the abandoned Beniboye Flow Station, formerly operated by Eni Agip Oil Company Nigeria Limited and now under the management of Oando Surgenal Limited, arguing that host communities have continued to bear the environmental and socio-economic consequences of oil production without adequate remediation or development support.
According to him, the affected communities have endured environmental degradation, shoreline erosion, persistent wave action, economic hardship and limited access to critical social infrastructure despite their contributions to Nigeria’s oil industry.
The activist further called for a comprehensive engagement between government authorities, oil operators and community stakeholders to address long-standing environmental concerns and chart a sustainable development path for the area.
He advocated the immediate deployment of independent and internationally recognised environmental valuers to assess the extent of ecological damage, socio-economic losses and future risks associated with abandoned oil facilities in the affected communities.
Mulade also urged authorities and operators to implement compensation, remediation and restoration programmes, while ensuring that all abandoned oil installations are decommissioned in line with internationally accepted environmental standards and best practices.
He maintained that communities that have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth through oil production deserve environmental justice, improved infrastructure and sustainable development initiatives.
Reaffirming his commitment to advocacy across the Niger Delta, Mulade pledged to continue speaking on behalf of vulnerable communities affected by environmental degradation and climate-related challenges.
