SOS Over Coastal Erosion in Delta Community as Mulade Seeks Urgent Government Intervention
By Ezekiel Kagbala
Niger Delta Environmental and human rights activist, Chief Mulade Sheriff, has raised the alarm over the worsening coastal erosion threatening the existence of Obuguru Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, calling on the Federal and Delta State Governments to urgently intervene before the community is wiped out.
Mulade, who is also the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice and National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress, expressed deep concern over what he described as the devastating impact of Atlantic Ocean surge at the River Forcados Estuary on the oil-bearing Obuguru Community in Ogulagha Kingdom.
According to him, the alarming rate of coastal erosion has continued to destroy large portions of land, threatening ancestral homes, fishing settlements, economic activities, and the overall survival of the people.
He warned that unless urgent shoreline protection and erosion control measures are immediately put in place, the community could face total displacement and eventual extinction.
Mulade appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other relevant stakeholders to urgently respond to the environmental crisis confronting the affected communities.
The environmental advocate lamented what he described as decades of neglect suffered by Obuguru and other shoreline communities, including Beniboye, Isiayegbene, and Okuntu, despite their immense contributions to Nigeria’s oil economy.
He accused the former Eni Agip Oil Company Nigeria Limited, now operating as Oando Surgenal Limited, of abandoning the communities after years of crude oil exploration activities at the now abandoned Beniboye Flow Station.
According to Mulade, the affected communities have continued to suffer severe environmental degradation, coastal erosion, heavy wave actions, economic hardship, and lack of basic infrastructure following the abandonment of oil facilities in the area.
He described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that the communities still lack essential social amenities such as potable water, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure, shoreline protection projects, and meaningful empowerment opportunities.
Mulade further called on the Federal Government and Oando Surgenal Limited to convene an urgent roundtable meeting with the affected communities to address the long-standing environmental and socio-economic challenges caused by decades of oil exploration activities.
He also demanded the immediate engagement of internationally recognised valuers to assess the extent of environmental damages, losses, and future risks associated with the abandoned Beniboye oil wells and drilling platforms.
The activist maintained that adequate compensation, environmental remediation, and sustainable development programmes must commence without delay to alleviate the sufferings of the affected communities.
He additionally urged both the Federal Government and Oando Surgenal Limited to immediately commence a comprehensive end-of-life and abandonment programme for all abandoned oil facilities within the affected areas in line with internationally accepted environmental standards and best practices.
Mulade emphasized that the people of the Niger Delta cannot continue to bear the burden of environmental destruction after contributing immensely to Nigeria’s economic survival through oil production.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for environmental justice, peace, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
