The Gbaramatu Concern Communities Forum has raised alarm over the alleged prolonged oil spill from the Trans-Forcados Trunkline Keremor Manifold facility operated by Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) in Odidi Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, saying the incident is taking a severe toll on communities across the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Amb. Fred Igere, JP, and Secretary, Chief Williams Tortor, said the spill, which first occurred on February 19, 2026, along the Trans-Forcados Trunkline under Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30, has spread to other adjoining communities.

According to the group, the facility is a critical crude oil evacuation asset with an estimated capacity of about 600,000 barrels per day, which it alleged that, as of Monday, September 14, 2026, the leakage had yet to be permanently stopped or the affected environment properly remediated.

The Forum said the continued discharge has polluted waterways around Odidi Federated Community and spread to about 100 neighbouring riverine communities, cutting across Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area and parts of Burutu Local Government Area.

It particularly expressed concern over the impact on Gbaramatu Kingdom, where it said more than 43 communities have been affected by the pollution.

“The fishing grounds and waterways that sustain our people have been contaminated,” the Forum said. “Fishing activities have been seriously disrupted, leaving many families without their regular means of livelihood and threatening the economic survival of communities that depend almost entirely on the river.”

The group noted that beyond the loss of income, the spill has created growing anxiety over public health and access to clean water, as residents reportedly face the dangers associated with polluted creeks, rivers and fishing sites.

It warned that if urgent action is not taken, the prolonged pollution could further impoverish families, destroy aquatic resources and expose vulnerable residents, including children and the elderly, to health risks.

The Forum called on HEOSL to immediately undertake a joint investigation visit to the affected areas with community representatives and relevant regulatory agencies, and to permanently eliminate the alleged source of the leakage.

It also demanded the immediate cleanup and restoration of polluted waterways and fishing sites, as well as adequate compensation for affected families whose fishing implements, sources of livelihood and natural habitat have reportedly been damaged.

The communities further called for the provision of medical aid, food items and other emergency relief materials to cushion the hardship being experienced by residents.

The Forum appealed to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and other relevant federal and state agencies to promptly intervene, stressing that a spill said to have lasted for several months should not be allowed to continue without decisive remediation.

It also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to call HEOSL to order and ensure that relevant agencies take urgent steps to protect lives, livelihoods and the environment in Gbaramatu and other affected riverine communities.

"The people of Gbaramatu and other impacted riverine communities deserve a clean, safe and healthy environment. Their means of survival must not be allowed to perish under the weight of prolonged environmental pollution," they added.