The Delta State House of Assembly has called on the state government and relevant agencies to order an immediate cleanup and provide relief materials following a major oil spill in Uzere Community, Isoko South Local Government Area.
The legislature further urged regulatory bodies to compel the oil companies responsible for the incident to contain the spill, conduct a thorough assessment, and remediate the impacted environment.
Motion Urges Swift State Intervention
The resolutions were passed during plenary on Thursday following a motion raised under urgent public importance by Hon. Ferguson Onwo (representing Isoko South II State Constituency). The session was presided over by Speaker Dennis Guwor.
Moving the motion, Onwo raised serious concerns over the severe economic and environmental hardship inflicted on the host community.
He warned that the uncontained spill poses an existential threat to public health, local agricultural livelihoods, and the aquatic ecosystem.
Onwo’s prayers to the House included:
Immediate Cleanup & Remediation: Mandating responsible oil firms to assess, contain, and remediate the polluted land and waterways.
Emergency Relief: Urging the Delta State Government to dispatch emergency palliatives and relief materials to affected residents.
Probing the Root Cause: Investigating both the immediate and underlying causes of the spill to prevent future occurrences.
Lawmakers Decry Corporate Neglect
Supporting the motion, several lawmakers including Hon. Kenneth Preyor, Hon. Charles Emetulu (Ndokwa West), Hon. James Augoye (Okpe), and Hon. Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South) condemned the frequent delay in spill responses by multinational oil operators.
The lawmakers emphasized that host communities must not be left to suffer the hazardous health and economic fallout of crude extraction.
They called on oil firms operating across Delta State to uphold higher corporate social responsibility standards and prioritize the welfare of their host populations during environmental emergencies.
Following unanimous adoption through a voice vote, Speaker Guwor instructed the Clerk of the House to transmit the assembly’s resolutions to relevant executive agencies and regulatory bodies for immediate action.
Guwor also directed the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to closely monitor the execution of the resolutions to ensure the directives are carried out without delay. (NAN)
