Opuama and Polobubo Communities Reaffirm ESG Progress in OML40, Call for Evidence-Based Environmental Reporting,
By EgbemaVoice,
Dateline: Warri North, Delta State, Nigeria. 29 November 2025.
Communities in Opuama and Polobubo (Tsekelewu) in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North, Delta State, have reaffirmed their commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and called on media organisations, advocacy groups and regulators to focus on verifiable facts when reporting on OML40.
Speaking as an indigene of Opuama and Polobubo, and as a community advocate with formal executive-level ESG certification from The ESG Institute, registered in the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency, Pumokumo B. Tiemo said any honest assessment of OML40 must separate legacy pollution and illegal refining from current efforts to stabilise and develop the host communities.
“Serious contamination in our creeks and groundwater has been documented in the past, especially during the era when Shell Nigeria operated the facility and during the height of illegal local refining,” Tiemo said. “Our people have lived with that reality for years. But it is misleading to ignore the progress that is being made today or to publish allegations that are not backed by proper engagement with those of us who actually live in these communities.”
Tiemo noted that peer reviewed research has already confirmed significant hydrocarbon pollution in Opuama’s groundwater linked to repeated crude oil spills over many years, and that independent work has shown the destructive effects of artisanal refining and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta. He said this mixed history requires careful and responsible reporting, not simplified blame.
According to Tiemo, the real turning point in OML40 has been the practical implementation of ESG through partnership between the current operators and credible local leadership.
“Respected traditional and community leaders from Egbema Kingdom and Polobubo understand both the culture of our people and the realities of oil operations,” he said. “They have pushed for development that is rooted in the needs of Opuama, Polobubo and neighbouring communities, while maintaining peace and dialogue with the companies.”
Tiemo acknowledged the role of Elcrest, Seplat and their national partner NEPL in funding and implementing visible projects in the host communities. Company reports and community testimonies confirm ongoing and completed works that include classroom blocks in Opuama and Tsekelewu, a cottage hospital, jetties, walkways, boreholes, housing projects and the Opuama electrification initiative designed to deliver stable power to both the flowstation and nearby communities.
“Electrification, school infrastructure, health facilities and improved security are not theories. They are projects our people can touch and use,” Tiemo said. “We are also seeing dredging of waterways to reopen transport routes and support economic activity, as well as the renovation of culturally important sites such as the Olodua ancestral house.”
He also highlighted the role of Origin Global Nigeria Limited as a key local partner in improving security and reducing environmental damage in the OML40 corridor. Public records identify Origin Global as a Nigerian oil and gas services company. According to community leaders, Origin Global has worked with the joint venture to tackle illegal refining and pipeline vandalism, contributing to a gradual recovery of aquatic life and creating significant employment for local residents.
“Illegal refineries and vandalism have caused massive environmental harm in our area,” Tiemo explained. “Work to shut down those activities is an ESG action in itself because it reduces ongoing pollution. Many of our people now have work and engagement through legitimate operations instead of being pushed toward illegal activities.”
Festus Pere Kin, a leader from Egbema Kingdom, an indigene of Polobubo and a recognised peace ambassador in Delta State, reaffirmed Tiemo’s position. He welcomed sincere environmental advocacy but cautioned against exaggeration.
“As leaders from these communities, we support any genuine call for cleanup and justice,” Festus Pere Kin said. “At the same time, we must be accurate. To the best of our knowledge there are currently no confirmed or officially recorded deaths in Opuama or Polobubo that can be directly linked to the recent incidents some NGOs have described. Any such claims must be supported by verifiable medical and regulatory evidence before they are repeated in the media.”
Honourable Sule Austin E., Majority Leader, Warri North Local Government Area, and a respected community leader from Opuama, also endorsed the statement.
“As someone who lives with the daily realities of Opuama, I can confirm that the direction we are taking now is one of dialogue, development and shared responsibility,” Honourable Sule Austin E. said. “We know our environment, we know the history of spills in this area, and we will always raise and address them when they occur. What we will not do is impose spills caused by past operators or by illegal local refineries and pipeline vandalism on the new operators who are working with us to improve conditions.”
Tiemo stressed that the communities are not denying the existence of environmental damage, and that they remain active and accountable in managing their own reality.
“We in Opuama and Polobubo know when there are spillages, we know the history of those incidents and we have never shied away from doing what is necessary,” he said. “Our focus now is to consciously implement ESG in a way that protects our land and waters, supports our people and gives responsible investors confidence that they are dealing with organised, accountable communities.”
Looking ahead, Tiemo said the communities intend to deepen their role in ESG design and implementation with companies and government. Plans are underway for a skills acquisition centre in the Opuama and Polobubo area to serve indigenous youths and neighbouring communities, building on existing projects in health, education, security and infrastructure.
“With the right support, we can make OML40 a model of how ESG should work in practice,” Tiemo concluded. “We have seen what happens when communities are ignored, and we are now seeing the benefits when communities are at the centre of planning. Our message to Nigeria and the world is simple. Work with us on the basis of evidence, respect and partnership, and the results will speak for themselves.”
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