Stakeholders of Odidi Federated Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have renewed calls on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies for clean up, compensation and revoke the operating licence of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) over its alleged failure to address the prolonged oil spill affecting the community.
The demand was made during a peaceful protest held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, led by the Secretary of Odidi Federated Community, Chief Mamamu Bene where a temporary blockage was placed on the access river of Keremor loading points in Forcados terminal.
The protesters carried green leaves as symbols of peace, where scores of women and youths from Odidi and neighbouring Kantu communities converged at the company’s loading point in the creek, arriving in traditional kpekpe ferry boats and speedboats. The protesters vowed to halt the company’s operations until their demands are met.
According to the demonstrators, the continued oil pollution has severely damaged the environment, destroyed aquatic life, and disrupted the livelihoods of residents who depend on the creeks for survival. They insisted that Heritage Energy should immediately clean up the affected areas and provide relief to impacted communities.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Chief Mamamu Bene accused the company of ignoring repeated appeals from the host communities and failing to take meaningful steps to stop the alleged spill.
“We are here to shut down the operations of Heritage Energy because they have refused to comply with our demands. Our ecosystem has been destroyed, our people are suffering, and we are calling on the Federal Government, Delta State Government, the local government, and all relevant petroleum agencies to come to our rescue,” he said.
He added that the community would continue its protest until a comprehensive environmental cleanup is carried out.
Chief Mamamu also disclosed that although Heritage Energy had previously invited community representatives for discussions, the engagement ended without any positive outcome.
According to him, the company allegedly informed the community that it had no plans to meet the demands presented by residents, prompting the latest protest.
Another stakeholder, Prince Nelson, described the environmental situation as alarming, saying crude oil could be seen across large sections of the affected waterways.
He warned that community members would continue to resist the company’s operations until urgent intervention is made.
“The crude oil pollution has destroyed our ecosystem. We are calling on Heritage Energy to stop the leak immediately, clean up the environment, provide relief materials, medical support, and other assistance because our women and children are suffering,” he appealed.
Residents noted that the alleged oil spill began on February 19, 2026, with subsequent incidents reportedly occurring in the months that followed. They expressed disappointment that, despite several peaceful protests and repeated appeals, the relevant authorities have yet to take decisive action to address the environmental crisis.
The protesters maintained that they would sustain their peaceful demonstration until concrete measures were taken to stop the alleged spill, restore the polluted environment, and safeguard the livelihoods of affected communities