By Dr. Maimoni Ubrei-Joe
LAGOS, Nigeria — An environmental advocate has called on Heritage Oil & Gas Company (Nig.) Limited to urgently contain an oil spill that has reportedly been flowing continuously in Uzere Community, Delta State, since June 27, warning that the pollution risks turning the area into “another Ogoni” if immediate action is not taken.
Dr. Maimoni Ubrei-Joe, an environmental and climate justice advocate, said the prolonged spill poses a serious threat to the environment, public health and the livelihoods of residents who depend on the area’s natural resources.
“The people of Uzere deserve clean water, safe livelihoods and a healthy environment, not prolonged pollution and neglect,” Ubrei-Joe said in a statement.
She urged Heritage Oil & Gas Company (Nig.) Limited to halt the spill without delay, undertake a comprehensive clean-up of affected areas, restore damaged ecosystems and compensate residents whose farmlands, fishing grounds and other means of livelihood may have been impacted.
The advocate also called for an independent and transparent assessment of the environmental and socio-economic damage caused by the incident.
“Our demands are simple: stop the oil spill immediately, clean up the affected environment, carry out a transparent assessment of the damage, compensate affected communities and restore Uzere’s environment,” she said.
Drawing parallels with the long-running environmental crisis in Ogoniland, Ubrei-Joe cautioned against allowing pollution in Uzere to worsen through delayed intervention.
“Uzere must not become another Ogoni. Environmental justice cannot wait,” she said.
The oil spill, which the advocate said has persisted since June 27, has heightened concerns among residents and environmental campaigners over its potential impact on water sources, biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Heritage Oil & Gas Company (Nig.) Limited had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of this report.
