Delta State-born environmental rights and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has called on the Federal Government, the Delta State Government and relevant environmental regulators to declare an environmental emergency following a reported oil spill affecting several host communities in Warri South-West and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State.
Mulade made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing the reported spill as an environmental disaster with the potential to cause lasting ecological and socio-economic damage if urgent intervention is not undertaken.
According to him, the incident is allegedly linked to facilities operated by Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited across Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 26, 34, 38, 41 and 42, with crude oil transported through the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP).
He further alleged that the 18-inch Trans Forcados Pipeline, constructed in the early 1980s, had exceeded its intended service life, arguing that ageing oil infrastructure continues to expose communities to environmental and health risks.
“It is imperative to state that the lifespan of the 18-inch Trans Forcados Pipeline expired long ago. Yet, the Federal Government and multinational oil companies appear more interested in crude oil production while paying little attention to the environmental and health challenges confronting people in the region,” Mulade said.
The environmental advocate alleged that rivers, creeks, mangrove forests and farmlands that sustain host communities had been contaminated, placing the livelihoods of thousands of residents who depend on fishing and farming at risk.
“This is not merely another oil spill; it is an assault on the environment, on public health, and on the survival of communities whose lives depend entirely on the natural ecosystem. Every hour of delay compounds the damage and deepens the suffering of innocent people,” he said.
Mulade claimed that many fishermen had abandoned their traditional fishing grounds because of polluted waters, while farmers were witnessing the destruction of their farmlands. He added that women and children remained particularly vulnerable to contaminated water sources and prolonged exposure to hydrocarbon pollution.
He accused oil operators of failing to adequately protect the fragile Niger Delta ecosystem, saying recurring oil spill incidents have continued to undermine environmental conservation efforts and worsen poverty in oil-producing communities.
The peace advocate called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to immediately contain the reported spill, deploy emergency response teams, commence comprehensive remediation and environmental restoration in accordance with international best practices, and transparently engage with affected communities.
He also demanded an independent Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) involving regulatory agencies, host communities, environmental experts and civil society organisations to determine the cause, extent and impact of the reported spill.
Mulade urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Environment to urgently investigate the incident and enforce compliance with environmental regulations.
“Corporate responsibility cannot end with oil production. Companies operating in the Niger Delta must demonstrate genuine commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of human lives. The era where communities are abandoned to suffer the consequences of pollution must end,” he stated.
He further appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance, medical support, environmental remediation and adequate compensation for residents whose livelihoods have allegedly been affected.
Under Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, petroleum operators are required to prevent pollution, respond promptly to oil spills and carry out environmental remediation where damage occurs. Similarly, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Establishment) Act, 2006 mandates NOSDRA to coordinate oil spill preparedness, response and compliance with environmental standards.
Environmental organisations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have consistently highlighted the long-term environmental, economic and public health consequences of recurring oil spills in the Niger Delta, calling for stronger regulation, timely clean-up and greater corporate accountability.
Mulade warned that any delay by operators and regulatory agencies in responding to the reported spill could worsen environmental degradation and heighten social tension in affected communities.
As of the time of filing this report, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had not publicly responded to the allegations. NewsNet Nigeria will publish their responses when they become available.
