The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. (Comr.) Friday Ovoke Warri, has expressed appreciation to the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, for his prompt intervention and deployment of medical personnel to Uzere following the recent oil spill incident in the community.
Governor Oborevwori had on Monday led a high powered delegation to inspect the site of the devastating oil spill at Uzere, which has destroyed farm crops, aquatic life and properties in the community.
Speaking on Wednesday, when a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Oleh, the headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area, Warri also commended NEMA for its prompt response.
“I want to commend the officials of NEMA for their intervention and efforts towards assessing the impact of the oil spill. What happened at Uzere Well 14 has caused serious damage to the agricultural and ecological systems of our people. The impact on our farmers and the environment is a matter of serious concern.
“I also want to express my gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for visiting the affected area a few days earlier and directing the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, to ensure that residents of the affected communities receive appropriate medical attention, including examinations to establish the possible health implications of the incident.
“I am grateful to our beloved Governor for his visit and for directing the Commissioner for Health to ensure that our people receive the necessary medical attention. As we speak, medical personnel are already in Uzere carrying out medical activities for our people,” he stated.
Earlier, the NEMA delegation, led by Dr. Godwin Tepikor, Director of Planning and Research, explained that the agency’s visit followed a report received from Uzere on September 26 concerning the oil spill.
He said the agency was in Isoko South to obtain preliminary information from the council chairman, who is also the Chief Security Officer of the local government, before commencing its assessment of the affected areas.
According to him, the visit was also aimed at informing the local government leadership of the agency’s presence and ensuring proper coordination ahead of the assessment exercise.
The NEMA team reaffirmed its commitment to assessing the situation and working with relevant stakeholders to determine the extent of the damage and identify appropriate intervention measures.
