By Emmanuel Ekebe
Almost at the same time the Trans-Forcados pipe line erupted at Odidi, the Uzere well 14 also caved in on the 26th of June, 2026 spewing crude, gas, mud and other impurities into the environment with collosal damage both to the ecosystem and the livelihood of the Uzere people and beyond.
Ironically, both unfortunate incidents in the two communities bear lots of similarities apart from being situate in Delta South and oil producing or impacted communities.
Uzere and Odidi also suffer the brunt of oil and gas exploration and related hazards.
Of course, both communities are rural but host to several oil and gas facilities.
In addition, the facilities belong to Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd, operators of the joint venture partners which include NEPL and Shoreline Resources.
However, while the Odidi incident drew much attention perhaps for the large number of communities affected by the spill or its proximity to Warri, that of Uzere was played down for whatever reasons only known to the operators and the powers that be.
Painfully, the monumental Well 14 spillage and destruction of the people’s land and economic base continued for months unabated.
Meanwhile, company officials and government/regulatory agencies that visited the site only appeared like tourists coming to witness a helpless people awaiting annihilation.
At that, the Nigerian state was and still drawing oil from the drying blood of the Uzere people every day.
It is thus confounding and quite provoking that within a spate time, the Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori had deemed it necessary to personally visit Odidi where he made far reaching declarations.
The Governor had ordered immediate clean up, medical intervention and that “the urgent intervention must go beyond relief materials ”
At the time Governor Oborevwori read the riot act in Odidi, the Uzere well 14 was just simmering down though the perilous foot print of the catastrophe are not only very visible but still unfolding.
Ironically, just as the Uzere people were trying to look beyond the hazy clouds of the imposed despondency without meaningful government intervention, another unimaginable calamity struck the sleepy community.
Within days after the well 14 blowout subsided, the residents of London Base, Uweye quarters of Uzere woke up to see gas emitting from the ground in their compounds.
This strange occurrence has continued to expand every day and both the king, leadership and residents of Uzere have cried to high heavens to no avail.
As I write, the uncontrolled emission has persisted for upwards of two months and just like the case of well 14, all the government and company officials seem to only visit Uzere for mere sight seeing.
Meanwhile, the Uzere people, the second place in Nigeria where oil was found after Oloibiri are gradually suffocating, dying slowly and at the verge of being exterminated if the precarious situation is not quickly abated.
Along the line, there being no functional oil and gas facilities within a radius of 300 metres, the two oil companies operating in the area; NEPL and Heritage Energy for Uzere East and West fields respectively are apparently reluctant in taking direct responsibility.
On the other hand, all boreholes in the affected area have failed admidst the traumatic apprehension that for any unguided spark as the flood is receding, the people can be roasted to death any minute.
What is most bemusing in these is that with all the large scale tragedies befalling a unique community like Uzere back to back, the Delta State Governor has not deemed it exigent to personally visit Uzere from where billions are flowing into the federal and state governments’ coffers round the clock.
Paradoxically, Uzere is just about 130 klm from Asaba, the seat of power and very accessible day and night.
And so, I remind His Excellency that what is good for the goose is good for the gander just as from whom much is taken, something substantial should be given in return.
We are waiting ; but not for camping visit please!
STOP PRESS!
1. At the point of going to press, we learnt Heritage Energy has commenced arrangements to relocate the people from the gas emission area.
2. That uncontrolled gas emissions have erupted at Uzere wells 1 and 3 owned by NEPL.
