Oil Spill: Mulade Seeks Environmental Emergency in Delta

• Mulade warns pollution threatens livelihoods in Warri South-West, Burutu communities
• Calls for urgent probe, remediation, humanitarian support and compensation for affected residents
• Urges Heritage Energy, regulators to act swiftly to prevent further ecological damage

A Delta State-born environmental rights and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, has urged the Federal Government, Delta State Government and key regulatory agencies to declare an environmental emergency over a reported oil spill affecting several communities in Warri South-West and Burutu Local Government Areas of the state.

Mulade made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday, warning that the incident could trigger lasting ecological and public health consequences if urgent intervention is not undertaken.

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He alleged that the spill originated from facilities operated by Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited across Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 26, 34, 38, 41 and 42, with crude transported through the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP).

According to him, the 18-inch Trans Forcados Pipeline, constructed in the early 1980s, has exceeded its expected lifespan, yet continues to be used despite the risks posed to surrounding communities.

He expressed concern that rivers, creeks, mangrove forests and farmlands that sustain local livelihoods had reportedly been polluted, leaving 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,” Mulade said.

The environmental campaigner lamented that many fishermen had allegedly abandoned their traditional fishing grounds because of polluted waters, while farmers were witnessing the destruction of their farmlands.

He further warned that women and children remain particularly vulnerable because of prolonged exposure to contaminated water and hydrocarbon pollution.

Mulade accused oil operators of failing to adequately protect the fragile Niger Delta ecosystem, arguing that repeated spills have undermined environmental conservation efforts while worsening poverty in host communities.

He called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to immediately contain the spill, deploy emergency response teams, begin comprehensive environmental remediation and restoration, and engage affected communities transparently throughout the process.

The activist also demanded an independent Joint Investigation Visit involving regulatory agencies, host communities, environmental experts and civil society organisations to determine the cause, extent and impact of the reported spill.

He 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 ensure strict 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.

Mulade also called for immediate humanitarian assistance, medical support, environmental remediation and adequate compensation for residents whose livelihoods have allegedly been affected.

He noted that under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, petroleum operators are required to prevent pollution, respond promptly to spills and undertake remediation where environmental damage occurs. He also referenced the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Establishment) Act, 2006, which empowers NOSDRA to coordinate oil spill response and enforce compliance with environmental standards.

Citing previous reports by environmental organisations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mulade said recurring oil spills have continued to contaminate water sources, destroy biodiversity, erode livelihoods and expose residents to long-term health risks.

He warned that failure by both operators and government regulators to act decisively could further degrade the environment and heighten social tensions in already vulnerable communities.

As of the time of filing this report, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, NOSDRA and the NUPRC had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the reported spill.