NewsNigeriaPoliticsAnambra Assembly Visits Ogwuikpele, Expresses Concern Over Oil Theft, Other Issues

Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed deep concern over the effects of crude oil exploration and theft in Ogwuikpele community, Ogbaru Council Area by Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company, SEEPCO

During an oversight visit to the community, the House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, said the visit provided an opportunity for legislators to witness firsthand the challenges faced by the community in the region and the operations of the company.

During the visit, lawmakers were confronted with the stark reality of environmental degradation, pollution, and socio-economic hardships caused by oil exploration activities in Oguikpele as resident, shared their grievances, highlighting the adverse effects on their health, agriculture, and overall quality of life.

Speaking through the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Member representing Njikoka constituency one, Honourable Chidiebele Ibemeka, voiced the Assembly’s disappointment at the company’s disregard for its financial obligations to the state government, and explained that the company not only deprived the state of crucial revenue, but also undermines its ability to provide essential services and corporate social responsibilities to the host community.

The lawmaker discovered that the company does not have metering system to account for the resources they are drilling, stating that the company’s gas flaring is low, thereby killing economic trees and increasing temperature, while they transport products outside the state through underground pipe into batches without any accounting system as well as no employment of any Anambra indigene.

Honourable Ibemeka noted that the house shall take decisive action to address the situation and pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the state government to find sustainable solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of crude oil exploration in the area.

He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of affected community and ensuring that their voices are heard.

The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Honourable Ikenna Ofodeme, thanked ndi Oguikpele for being supportive and calm, assuring them that the Assembly will resolved to initiate legislative measures aimed at promoting environmental protection and ensuring corporate accountability with the company in order to safeguard the interests of Anambra residents and preserve the state’s natural resources for future generations.

During questioning , the Base Manager of SEEPCO, Mr. Kylian Mahtre, who said he joined the company two years ago, noted that over the years there has been exportation of crude oil and pure gas to Delta state before he joined the company which has eight oil drilling sites in the state.

The Base Manager denied having metering system to determine the quantity of oil and gas exported outside the community as drilling and exportation are being done continuously in that area, while two and half batches of oil are being loaded daily.

The president general of the Oguikpele  community, Mr. Sunday Madupue noted that the impact of activities of the company prospecting oil in the community had resulted in erosion which is already sacking homesteads while oil spillage had contaminated the water bodies which in turn made their farmlands unproductive and aquatic life unsustainable.

On his part, Mr Emmanuel Anene from Oguikpele, said the company has refused it Corporate Social Responsibility, such as no hospital, no school, not even access roads, or employment of any member of the community.

However, on 29th February 2024,  the company had sort  approval to lay 18 inches Pipe from Imo state passing through Anambra to Delta state, but during the oversight, it was discovered that the company had continuing laying the pipes, without any approval.