Some farmers of Uzere Community in Isoko South Local Government area of Delta State who allegedly suffered a devastating oil spillage last year have raised the alarm over what they described as “the unabated ravaging impact of the spill on their farmland”.
The community appealed to the management of Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd, (HEOSL) the oil company operating in the area to carry out proper clean up and Soil remediation in the affected farmland to enable farmers commence this year’s cultivation.It was gathered that some of the farmers in the agrarian community were yet to commence cultivation in their farm land this year, as a result of alleged poor clean up and remediation on the affected soil.
Some of the affected farmers who narrated their ordeals as a result of the effect of the spill on their farm lands and ponds lamented that they could not cultivate their farm lands since last year due to the damage done to their soil by the oil spill.
One of the affected farmers in the community, Mr. Peter Oghomomo, said the Oil spill occurred three kilometers away from his farmland but because the clean up was not carried out immediately, it spread into his farm and many other farm lands and destroyed their farm produce for last year, adding that the impact was severe because it occurred during the raining season.
“We are appealing to the management of Heritage Energy Operational Services to come to our rescue before this year’s raining season commence.”
Another affected farmer, Prince Owohoro while lamenting over the looming hunger that would befall the community if nothing drastic is done narrated how the spill affected their farm lands.
According to him, “Soon after the spill occurred, the management of Heritage Energy Operational Services with some representatives of our community carried out a joint investigation visit (JIV) to the site and it was discovered that 16 Uzere-Eriemu delivery pipeline was vandalized by third party infraction.
“They contracted the clean up and remediation to a contractor but little or nothing was done because it was at the peak of the raining season.
“Thereafter, we forwarded a petition to the company, stating that although we are peace loving people, we should not be taken for granted because hunger can push anyone to do the unimaginable and this was not responded to.”
Also speaking on the issue, the President General of Uzere kingdom, Prince Eholor called on the Heritage Energy Operational Services to harken to the voice of the people and carry out proper clean up and remediation.
“Until the surface of the affected soil is properly scrapped off to the level the crude sank into the Soil, there is nothing that will germinate in those farm lands for a long time.
“To tell you the delicate nature of oil spillage in our lives, if there is any spark of fire, there is going to be an out break of fire within that area and that soil will continue to burn till the affected soil is completely consumed.
“Recently, some farmers who were cultivating their lands for planting had fire in their land, before they could say jack, the affected soil started burning and this fire lasted days and the people were scared of being consumed.”
Responding to the allegations, the Corporate Communications Manager of Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd, operator of OML 30 Joint Ventures between NNPCL Exploration and production Limited and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited Joint Ventures, Kayode Adebayo, said the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the top priority package for the oil company.
According to him, Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd has spent over N67.4 billion on Cooperate Social Responsibility between 2019 and 2023.
“Approximately 10% of the CSR budget of N6.96 billion was invested on the implementation of the GMOU across the OML 30 host communities”.
Kayode said contrary to the claim of negligence raised by some members of the community, clean up was carried out immediately after the joint investigation visit was completed by representative of the community and the company.
“As a responsible Operator, any spill sighted in our area of operation is immediately addressed by way of clean up regardless of the cause or the source of spill, Uzere spill were not left out of this standard operating process.
“We have recorded four incidents of oil spill caused by third party infraction in our Uzere location with the last one occurring on 15th of June, 2023 and out of these four, only one was caused by equipment failure.
“The Joint Investigation was carried out immediately with the participation of relevant stakeholders and the outcome was fully signed by all parties in line with regulatory requirements and clean up and recovery commenced immediately and a substantial volume from estimated 20bbl spilled were recovered”.
Kayode further explained that despite the seasonal swampy terrain of Uzere Community, the company defied the constraint and commenced the clean up activity which was monitored by regulators from a follow up visit to the site on 15th of June 2023 and 19th of March, 2024.
“There was no visible or free phase hydrocarbon sited during the visit that would pose further threat to the environment or cause further spread of hydrocarbon to other communities.
“The process of soil remediation across impacted areas is ongoing. in terms of spill percolation, the site is predominantly of clay characteristics, making it difficult for deep percolation across most of the impacted surfaces,” he said.
Speaking on the health packages provided for Uzere Community, Kayode disclosed that the community is within the coverage area of the services provided by Igbide hospital which was renovated and being supported by OML 30.
“Drugs are supplied and monthly stipends are paid to health workers in the hospital by HEOSL.”
He also disclosed that reports gathered from regulators who monitored the site revealed that the spill did not spread further with exception of already affected soil, and according to NOSDRA Act, the community do not qualify for any financial benefit due to third Party infraction.
“As a rule in the Industry and also as contained in NOSDRA Act Section 26 (2), third Party infraction (sabotage) does not qualify for any financial benefits to the affected Communities.
“We have specific requirements and recommendations governing how we identify and manage the environmental and social impacts/risks of all our projects.
“HEOSL’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy in OML 30 includes the promotion of active and enduring partnership, sharing of economic benefits created by our activities through the conduct of our community relationship as well as environmental stewardship,” he declared.
