The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd), on Monday raised the alarm over what he described as a deepening ecological catastrophe threatening to submerge Ugbokodo community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

The monarch made a passionate appeal for urgent federal intervention when he led a high-powered delegation to meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, in Abuja.

Accompanied by the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, and senior palace chiefs, the royal father painted a grim picture of environmental devastation in the oil-rich coastal community, warning that years of neglect have left residents vulnerable to displacement and economic ruin.

Despite Ugbokodo’s significant contribution to the nation’s oil output, the community, he said, has been left to grapple with the harsh consequences of decades of exploration activities.

According to the Orodje, Ugbokodo hosts eight oil wells and the largest manifold in West Africa, operated by Seplat Energies and Heritage Energy.

He added that the community contributes an estimated 11.4 per cent of Nigeria’s annual oil revenue from the Rapele Oil Field and accommodates critical infrastructure belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), including gas riser stations and pipeline networks linked to the Forcados Terminal and the AKK gas project.

“It is sad to note that both Shell and her successors — Seplat Energies, NEPL, Heritage Energy, and even the Federal Government — have, consciously and unconsciously, neglected this community over the years,” the monarch lamented.

He explained that prolonged oil exploration, compounded by the community’s coastal location, has triggered severe land degradation, gully erosion and frequent river overflows, washing away homes, farmlands and critical access roads.

“As a royal father, I am constrained by these challenges threatening my people’s very existence. I hereby seek the help of your good offices for quick intervention on shoreline protection, land reclamation and road improvement works”, he said.

The monarch also disclosed that a formal petition seeking shoreline protection and reclamation was submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on December 20, 2024, but noted that the situation has continued to deteriorate.

Responding, Senator Akume expressed concern over the plight of the Okpe people and acknowledged the gravity of the environmental challenges confronting oil-producing communities.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling ecological degradation nationwide and assured the delegation that his office would immediately liaise with the Federal Ministry of Environment to assess the situation and develop an appropriate intervention framework.

The SGF further pledged to convey the specific concerns of the Okpe Kingdom to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for high-level consideration.

While reiterating government’s resolve to act, Akume stressed that oil companies operating in the area must also live up to their environmental and corporate responsibilities.

The meeting ended with assurances of follow-up engagement as the Okpe Kingdom awaits concrete steps to avert what the monarch described as an existential threat to his people. (The Nation)