Widespread Devastation as Ocean Surge Wreaks Havoc on Ogheye Eghoroke

A devastating ocean surge has ravaged Ogheye Eghoroke and neighbouring communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement in its wake. The disaster has prompted an urgent call for government intervention and assistance from NGOs and international organizations.

The surge, which has been ongoing for two weeks, has destroyed homes, schools, and vital infrastructure, including the only borehole in Ogheye Eghoroke, leaving residents without access to clean drinking water. The community’s primary school, Ugbeni Primary School, has been completely washed away, while several homes, including the residence of the community leader, have been lost to the advancing waters.

Ogheye Zion and Ogheye Ajadogo have been entirely submerged, with no trace of the communities’ existence. Orere, another adjacent community, is inaccessible due to the lack of a jetty, as much of the community has been swallowed by the ocean.

The affected communities are host to Chevron’s offshore oil block, Okan Field, where oil was first discovered in 1963. Decades of oil exploration activities have taken their toll on the shoreline communities, eroding coastlines and leaving them vulnerable to the encroaching ocean.

The destruction of critical infrastructure and the loss of entire communities to the ocean has created a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate action. The situation is further compounded by the high infant mortality rate in the region, attributed to toxic pollutants saturating the environment.

The Office of the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri/Liaison to NNPCL is calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Delta State Government, NGOs, the United Nations, and well-meaning individuals and organizations to come to the aid of these vulnerable communities. Chevron is also urged to lead efforts in addressing this crisis, given its long-standing presence in the area.

The situation demands urgent attention to restore the homes and lives of the people of Ogheye Eghoroke and their neighbouring communities. The future of these communities hangs in the balance, and collective action is necessary to prevent further devastation.

URGENT CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, FOLLOWING THE RECENT OCEAN DEVASTATING SURGE IN OGHOYE EGHOROKE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

“The goose that lays the golden egg is being wiped off the map.”

The Ogheye Eghoroke community and several neighboring communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State are facing a dire situation due to a relentless ocean surge that has wreaked havoc on their livelihoods, homes, schools, and vital infrastructure. A team from the Office of the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri/Liaison to NNPCL visited the affected areas and witnessed the heartbreaking situation firsthand.

For the past two weeks, the ocean surge has swept through Ogheye Eghoroke and neighboring communities, including Orere, Ogheye Zion, and Ogheye Ajadogo, leaving an unimaginable trail of destruction. Upon arrival at Ogheye Eghoroke, the delegation was greeted by scenes of widespread devastation. Ugbeni Primary School, the only school in the community, had been completely washed into the ocean. Several homes, including the residence of the community leader (Olare-Aja), built in 2020 by Hon. Daniel Ireyenieju, have been lost to the advancing waters. Some residents, whose homes have been washed away, revealed that they are now forced to squeeze ten people into a single room for shelter.

Most alarming is the fact that the community’s only borehole, which served as the sole source of drinking water, has also been claimed by the ocean, leaving residents with no choice but to rely on ocean water for bathing, without access to clean drinking water.

The situation in the neighboring communities is worse. Ogheye Zion and Ogheye Ajadogo have been entirely submerged, with no trace of the communities’ existence. Efforts to reach Orere, the adjacent community to Ogheye Eghoroke, were unsuccessful due to the lack of access to a jetty, as much of the community has been swallowed by the ocean.

Legacy of Oil Exploration

Ogheye is host to Chevron’s offshore oil block, Okan Field, where oil was first discovered in 1963. For over 60 years, oil exploration activities have taken their toll on the shoreline communities. The combined effects of oil extraction and natural forces from the Atlantic Ocean have eroded the coastlines, leaving these communities more vulnerable to the encroaching ocean. As a result, homes, schools, and the livelihoods of thousands of residents, whose primary occupation is fishing, have been destroyed due to pollution, oil spills, and other harmful consequences of oil exploration activities. Additionally, the high infant mortality rate in the region is alarming, and this is largely attributed to toxic pollutants saturating the environment, further endangering the lives of these communities.

An Urgent Plea for Assistance

We’re calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Delta State Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the United Nations, and all well-meaning individuals and organizations to come to the aid of these vulnerable communities. The destruction of critical infrastructure such as schools, homes, and clean water sources, combined with the loss of entire communities to the ocean, has created a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate action.

We also call on Chevron, given its long-standing presence in the area, to lead efforts in addressing this crisis. The damage caused by decades of oil exploration must be countered by meaningful action to support the communities that have borne the brunt of environmental degradation. This ongoing genocide must be addressed with urgency, as the future of these communities hangs in the balance.

“The goose that lays the golden egg should not be abandoned.”

Together, we can help restore the homes and lives of the people of Ogheye Eghoroke and their neighboring communities.

Media and Publicity Unit, Office of the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri/Liaison to NNPCL