- Urge FG to declare state of emergency on environment
An environmental rights activist and peace advocate, Chief Sheriff Mulade, has called on the Federal government to declare an environmental emergency over alleged massive crude oil spill ravaging several communities in Warri South-West and Burutu local government areas of Delta State.
Mulade, in a statement issued on Wednesday, described the incident as an ecological disaster capable of inflicting irreversible damage on the Niger Delta ecosystem unless urgent intervention is undertaken.
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 operational lifespan, yet continues to be used despite the environmental and health risks it poses to host communities.
“It is unfortunate that while the Federal Government and multinational oil companies remain focused on crude oil production, they continue to pay lip service to the serious health and environmental challenges confronting people in the Niger Delta,” he said.
Mulade alleged that rivers, creeks, mangrove forests and farmlands have been contaminated, leaving thousands of residents who depend on fishing and farming without means of livelihood.
“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 stated.
He lamented that fishermen have abandoned their fishing grounds because of polluted waters, while farmers are helplessly watching their farmlands destroyed by crude oil contamination.
The activist added that women and children are particularly vulnerable due to exposure to polluted water sources and hydrocarbon contamination.
He accused oil operators of failing to adequately protect the fragile Niger Delta environment, saying repeated oil spills have continued to destroy biodiversity, worsen poverty and undermine decades of environmental conservation efforts.
Mulade urged Heritage Energy to immediately contain the spill, deploy emergency response teams, commence full environmental remediation and engage affected communities transparently.
He 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 spill.
The activist further called on 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 environmental laws.
“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 said.
Mulade also called for immediate humanitarian assistance, medical intervention, environmental remediation and adequate compensation for affected residents.
Oil spills remain one of the most persistent environmental challenges confronting the Niger Delta. Under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, petroleum operators are required to prevent pollution, respond promptly to spills and remediate damaged environments. The NOSDRA Act also empowers the agency to coordinate oil spill response and enforce compliance with environmental standards.
As of the time of filing this report, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, NOSDRA and the NUPRC had yet to respond to the allegations.