Two weeks after being summoned to appear at the Anambra State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company – SEEPCO, appeared again in continuation of the ongoing interrogation of the activities of oil companies operating in Anambra State by the State House of Assembly. Also on Tuesday, Sahara Energy was summoned to appear, having secured operational license in Anambra State since 2021.
Earlier, SEEPCO represented by Augustine Brown and Louis Jideofor, was asked to appear before the House of Assembly on Tuesday with documents showing evidence of the deployment of 3% of its budget to the host community as required by the Petroleum Industrial Law. Then, video or picture evidence of roads, hospitals, schools, and other projects undertaken so far in the community. They were also required to appear with a document showing a needs assessment for the community. More documents required include evidence of environmental impact assessment, output metering, a list of Anambra people working in the company, and also evidence of tax payment.
However, on Tuesday, the House of Assembly frowned at the company, as they could not provide all the documentary evidence requested from them during the last meeting two weeks earlier. Hon. Chidi Ibemeka, the House Committee Chairman of Petroleum Committee wondered why some crucial parts of the information requested to be provided are missing in the documents submitted by SEEPCO. Emphasizing the House of Assembly’s commitment to the interest of Anambra people, Hon. Noble Igwe and Hon. Jude Ndubisi Ngobili berated the representatives of SEEPCO for failing to comply with a clear requirement they were asked to appear with.
The House contested and summarily dismissed documents presented by SEEPCO as evidence of tax payment. According to the Assembly, the documents were inadequate and unacceptable. Similarly, the documentary evidence of the list of employees from Anambra State working in SEEPCO was described as a sham and dismissed.
At plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, who presided over the House ruled that the company should leave and return in another two weeks with all the required documents.
Meanwhile, Sahara Energy licensed since 2021 has not commenced exploration as they are yet to mobilize to the site and begin the exploration.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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