SOS Over Massive Coastal Erosion Threatening Obuguru Community, Mulade Calls For Urgent Government Intervention
Renowned environmental rights activist and development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene in the worsening coastal erosion threatening the existence of Obuguru Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mulade, who expressed deep concern over the environmental crisis affecting the oil-bearing community in Ogulagha Kingdom, said the devastating Atlantic Ocean surge at the River Forcados Estuary has continued to wash away large portions of land, putting lives and livelihoods at serious risk.
According to him, the situation has reached an alarming stage and requires immediate attention from all tiers of government and relevant environmental agencies.
“I am deeply disturbed by the worsening coastal erosion currently threatening the existence of the oil-bearing host community, Obuguru in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, as a result of the devastating Atlantic Ocean surge at the River Forcados Estuary,” he stated.
The environmental advocate, who is the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and an aspirant for the Warri Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general elections, said he could not remain silent while communities in the Niger Delta continue to suffer environmental degradation and displacement.
Mulade noted that the aggressive ocean surge has continued to destroy ancestral homes, fishing settlements, economic activities and community infrastructure, warning that Obuguru Community faces possible extinction if urgent shoreline protection measures are not implemented.
“I have observed with serious concern how large portions of land in Obuguru Community are gradually being washed away by the aggressive ocean surge, thereby threatening lives, ancestral homes, fishing settlements, properties and the economic survival of the people. If urgent intervention measures are not immediately taken, the community faces the danger of total extinction and displacement,” he emphasized.
He called on federal, state and local government authorities, as well as relevant agencies and interventionist bodies, to urgently initiate practical and sustainable erosion control measures to protect affected communities.
The activist also condemned what he described as years of neglect and abandonment by the former Eni Agip Oil Company Nigeria Limited, now operating as Oando Surgenal Limited, following decades of oil exploration activities around the now-abandoned Beniboye Flow Station located within the community.
According to him, despite the enormous wealth generated from the area through oil production, host communities have continued to suffer environmental destruction, economic hardship and lack of basic infrastructure without adequate compensation or remediation.
“It is unfortunate that after extracting enormous wealth from the land of our people, the community has been abandoned to suffer environmental degradation, erosion, economic hardship and absence of basic infrastructure without adequate compensation, remediation or sustainable development,” he lamented.
Mulade further decried the condition of other shoreline communities including Beniboye, Isiayegbene and Okuntu, which he said have also suffered severe environmental impacts arising from decades of oil exploration, heavy marine activities and wave actions linked to oil operations in the area.
“These communities have suffered enough. Despite their immense contributions to the Nigerian economy through oil production, the people lack basic social amenities, shoreline protection infrastructure, healthcare services, potable drinking water, educational facilities and meaningful empowerment opportunities,” he added.
The environmentalist therefore urged the Federal Government and Oando Surgenal Limited to immediately convene a roundtable discussion with affected communities to address longstanding environmental and socio-economic challenges resulting from years of oil exploitation.
He also called for internationally recognized environmental valuers to be engaged in assessing the damages, losses and long-term environmental impacts associated with the abandoned Beniboye oil facilities and drilling platforms.
According to him, adequate compensation, environmental remediation and sustainable development programmes must commence without delay.
Mulade further stressed the need for a comprehensive end-of-life and abandonment programme for all abandoned oil facilities in the affected communities in line with global environmental standards and best practices.
“Our people cannot continue to suffer after sacrificing so much for the economic survival of Nigeria. Environmental justice, fairness, remediation and sustainable development must prevail,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for vulnerable communities and promoting environmental justice, peace and sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
