A Distress call from Odimodi and Federated Communities in Delta State Over the Dauntingly Devastating Effects of Oil Spillage in their terrain

The people of Odimodi and its Federated Communities in the Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, have expressed deep concern over oil spillage affecting their seashore and waterways. The incident has caused severe environmental damages in these communities, and as such swift action is urgently needed from the concerned authorities to avert further damages.

Chairman of Odimodi and its Federated Communities, Comrade New-World Endoro, while addressing the press, urges Britania-U Nigeria Limited to initiate an urgent clean-up and remediation process. He emphasised the dire consequences oil spillage has already had on the local population.

Comrade Endoro also appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Delta State Government, and Burutu Local Government Council respectively for assistance, highlighting the devastation of both the aquatic environment and surrounding land.

The incident traces back to a fire on the Britania-U drilling vessel platform at Ajakpa Field (OML 90), located 10.77 nautical miles south of Forcados Terminal, Delta State, on July 18, 2024. Following the fire, on July 19, 2024, Comrade Endoro, along with other community members, visited the affected sites and observed extensive oil pollution along the seashore.

During the press briefing, Endoro stated that the spill from the Britania-U vessel had spread to Isiayegbene, Beniboye, Odimodi, and Gbidipou communities. He demanded an immediate Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) and warned against any delays in the clean-up and remediation efforts.

Some prominent community leaders such as Comrade Monday Cyril Laide, Youth President of Odimodi, Comrade Isaiah Ingo, an opinion leader, and Madam Peremene Helen, also voiced their concerns during the briefing. They described the severe hardship the spill has inflicted on the community and called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to take swift action.

Recalling previous incidents, the Odimodi community stressed that clean-up efforts in past were inadequate and insisted that they would not accept any palliative measures other than long lasting and enduring measures.