Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have called for an urgent audit of the sector’s infrastructure. The call followed a gas seepage in Uzere community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. The meeting was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency in Asaba on Tuesday. Its aim was to establish the remote cause of the 27 June spill and produce a working document to address the challenge. Stakeholders also urged the federal and Delta governments to expedite the relocation of Uzere residents to a safer area and provide health services and relief materials.
Uzere is one of Nigeria’s oldest oil communities. Oil was discovered there after Oloibiri in Bayelsa. The community’s wells and pipelines date back decades. Some infrastructure is over 50 years old. Heritage Oil operates the wells. The 2026 spill follows repeated incidents in the Niger Delta. Gas bubbling and soil contamination are common. The community has complained of neglect for years.
Victor-Fitzgudo Ogbugo, Permanent Secretary of the Delta Ministry of Environment, said the spill has mixed sand with crude. The river, soil and crops are affected. He warned of cancer risks from contaminated food. He called for an environmental audit of Uzere.
Dr Efe Ikoro, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, described the incident as an anomaly. He said the oil well failed and the reservoir was over-pressured. He said wells 1, 3 and 14 have issues and should be fixed. He called for an integrity audit of the pipelines.
Fidelis Ojobo, a community representative, said Uzere has suffered neglect. He blamed the spill on abandoned and neglected wells and decaying infrastructure. He warned that gas bubbles could burst into flames. He urged the government to relocate the people, collate gas samples and test them.
NUPRC’s Deputy Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Elleman Abubakar, said the commission received an alarm from Uzere on 18 September. It has taken gas, water and soil samples and awaits results. NOSDRA’s Assistant Director, Gunsuri Mohammed, said the agency visited on 3 October. It observed continuous gas bubbles and ground water impact. It could not establish the source. He called for integrity tests on pipelines that are over 50 years old.
NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, represented by Dr Godwin Tepikor, said the meeting was necessary for collective action. A team will visit the community to assign roles to the state government, the oil company and NEMA.
Winners: Stakeholders, who gained a coordination platform. NEMA, which showed leadership. The community, if it gains relocation and health support. The oil company, if it avoids prolonged litigation. Losers: Uzere residents, who face contamination and displacement. Heritage Oil, which faces audit and liability. The environment, which has been damaged. The government, if it fails to act. Crude production in the area, which may be disrupted.
Bottom Line: The wells are over 50 years old. Gas is bubbling from the ground. The community needs relocation. The infrastructure needs auditing. The government needs to act. Until then, Uzere remains a hazard zone.