By Chizoba Okeke, Anastasia Agunwa and Gloria Abugu :
Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed dissatisfaction with Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) for its failure to employ even a single indigene of Anambra State in its multi-million-dollar oil exploration activities running in the state.
The concern was raised during an interrogation by the House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, led by the Chairman, Mr Chidiebele Ibemeka, who criticized the company’s disregard for local workforce.
Ibemeka emphasized that despite SEEPCO’s operations in Anambra since 2006, and active exploration in the Ogwuaniocha and Ogwuikpele communities in Ogbaru Council Area beginning in 2018, the company has not provided any meaningful employment opportunities to Anambra indigenes.
According to the lawmaker, when asked to present documentation detailing the local hiring efforts, SEEPCO failed to include any names from the state.
Apart from the employment issue, Ibemeka highlighted environmental concerns, including frequent oil spills and gas flaring caused by the company’s operations, stating that their operations have had detrimental effects on the livelihood and health of the communities.
The lawmaker lamented the company’s disregard for the people, stating that it is unacceptable for a business operating within the state’s borders to neglect the welfare and employment needs of Anambra’s citizens.
He noted that as representatives of the people, it is the duty of the lawmakers to safeguard the interests of Ndi Anambra and will not rest until all entitlements due to ndi Anambra are properly allocated and delivered.
Mr Ibemeka pledged that the house will continue to intensify efforts to hold SEEPCO accountable and to ensure that the company fulfills its corporate social responsibility with regards to Petroleum Industry Act, to the host communities, particularly in employment and environmental protections.
Recall that the Assembly directed SEEPCO to provide evidence that they have established a Host Communities’ Development Trust in compliance with Section 235(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA (2021); show proof that three percent of their annual budget has been paid for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 and also submit documents detailing the projects executed as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
Further documentations requested included a NEEDs assessment of the host communities in line with Section 251 of the PIA, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, and a plan for natural gas flare elimination and monetization, in accordance with Section 108 of the PIA.
The Assembly also demanded that the company present its decommissioning and abandonment plans, evidence of output metering for daily oil and gas production, a list of Ndi Anambra employed by the company, and proof of tax payments to the state since the company’s inception.
However, the company represented by General Manager of Community Relations and Security at SEEPCO, Mr. Austin Atuonah, presented other documents, excluding a list of Ndi Anambra employed by the company, partial proof of tax payments to the state and a plan for natural gas flare elimination and monetization.
* Okeke, Agunwa and Abugu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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