Commence negotiations, otherwise vacate our lands – Edo oil rich communities warn oil companies

Indigenes of oil rich host communities comprising of Oben, Iguelaba, Ikobi and Obazogbe-nugu communities, all of Orhionmwon Local government area of Edo state have decried the marginalization of their people by both the federal and state government, and the oil companies in their localities.

Opinion leaders of the community made this known at a press briefing presided over by Prince West Uyigue at Oben community which is the host community to Oben oil and gas field OML  and acclaimed largest oil and gas reserve in West Africa with Seplat Petroleum Development Company as operator of the field.

Prince West Uyigue said that  despite the richness of the field which comprises a flow station, gas plant, a compressor station and an ongoing metering station, close to 60 oil and gas well heads; with over 75000 barrels of crude oil into the NPDC and other subsidiary pipelines, government and Seplat Oil and Gas have not lived up to their responsibilities of providing infrastructure, jobs or training and staffing of indigenes in any government agencies.

He also said that SEPLAT who had formerly entered into an MoU with the host communities within its area of operation has also failed in  implementing various signed agreements.
“SEPLAT’s MoU is operating more in breach than in compliance as relevant sections are arrogantly breached  by officials of the organisation based in the Sapele Base office” he said.

The opinion leader also lamented the state of environmental degradation imminent in the various oil rich communities as a result of oil and gas explorations as plants and livestock in the area no longer do well. He further said that the damages noticed prompted the people to engage an environment consultant to carry out post environment evaluation costing for compensation whose result has been handed over to SEPLAT for perusal and consideration. Howbeit, nothing has been heard from it.

Prince Uyigue said that the communities are thus calling on SEPLAT to commence negotiations for payment of compensations or at best sponsor a joint assessment and evaluation that will be credible to the company and the host community or otherwise vacate their land.

He also said that the oil company is not affecting the communities in anyway through its corporate social responsibility programme as there are no motorable roads in Oben, no hospitals or community health outreaches, the primary and secondary schools are in deplorable conditions as there are no chairs or tables for students to use.

He also decried the spate of murderous Fulani herdsmen who he said have taken to destroying farms and raping and killing farmers in the community as a woman was murdered by herders just three weeks ago. He further called on the state and federal government to act quickly before members of the community take laws into their hands as they are willing and ready to protect themselves from the Fulani herdsmen.

He further appealed to His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Ogidigan II, the government and other relevant authorities to wade into the plight of the community as their plight has become unbearable.

The Enogie of Oben, His Royal Highness Odoligie Ogiemwonyi told newsmen that the problems of his people are also his but however vowed that the community was not ready to fight the government or perpetuate any act of violence against anybody. He however stated that stakeholders both in government and companies in the community should desist from inaction until issues get out of hand before they act as crisis can be nipped in the bud now before violence takes its toll.