The member representing Isoko North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Pst. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, has called for urgent intervention to contain a gas leak in Uzere community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, following the collapse of Well 14.
Ukodhiko, who visited the affected community for an on-the-spot assessment, assured residents that he would work with relevant authorities to ensure the incident received the attention it required.
The lawmaker began the visit at the palace of the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Udogiri I, where he briefed the monarch on the purpose of his mission and the need for a coordinated response to the incident.
He said the visit followed discussions with Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on the gas leak and its implications for the safety of residents and the environment.
Ukodhiko pledged to work with the senator representing Delta South, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, to raise the matter at the National Assembly and draw the attention of the Federal Government and relevant agencies to the situation.
He said he would pursue the matter to ensure that appropriate measures were taken to contain the leak, protect residents and address the environmental consequences.
Highlighting Uzere’s contribution to Nigeria’s oil industry, the lawmaker noted that the community had remained an important oil-producing area, with the Uzere West and Uzere East fields comprising 43 oil wells and producing about 53,000 barrels of crude oil daily, according to the figures he cited.
Responding, the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, Udogiri I, thanked Governor Oborevwori for his concern over the incident and commended Ukodhiko for visiting the community to assess the situation.
The monarch described the gas leak as a serious threat, disclosing that residents living close to the affected areas had been relocated to safer locations.
He appealed to the government and relevant agencies to act swiftly, expressing concern that the situation was deteriorating and required urgent attention.
From the palace, Ukodhiko visited the country home of High Chief Iduh Amadhe before proceeding to the affected areas to inspect the situation.
Speaking with journalists after the inspection, the lawmaker described the incident as a major environmental and public health concern, warning that its effects could extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the leak.
He assured residents that efforts were under way to address the problem, adding that remedial work would be undertaken when the floodwaters receded.
Ukodhiko commended the people of Uzere for remaining peaceful despite the difficulties confronting them and urged them to remain calm while the necessary interventions were pursued.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Hon. Friday Warri Ovoke, commended the governor and the federal lawmaker for their visits and concern over the incident.
Ovoke disclosed that Oborevwori had earlier dispatched a team led by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas to assess the situation.
He called on Heritage Oil Company to take immediate and effective steps to contain the leak, protect residents and prevent further damage to the environment.
Similarly, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, represented by the Chairman of the kingdom’s Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Columbus Oguname, expressed concern over the hardship caused by the incident.
Oguname raised the alarm over reports of increasing sickness and other health problems among residents since the gas leak occurred. He appealed to Heritage Oil and the relevant government authorities to intervene urgently and provide relief for those affected.
The community leadership urged the authorities and the operating company to prioritise the containment of the leak, safeguard public health and ensure that the environmental impact was properly addressed.
