Anambra Oil Communities Demand Share of State’s Oil Wealth

Oil-producing communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have called on the state and Federal Governments, as well as Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, SEEPCO, to address years of alleged neglect and ensure that oil-producing communities benefit from the resources extracted from their areas. The communities, particularly Ogwuaniocha and Ogwuikpele, made the demand during a joint media briefing attended by traditional and community leaders. They urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to fully operationalise the Anambra State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, ANSOPADEC, to strengthen representation and development in oil-producing areas. The leaders said residents continued to face poor roads, inadequate electricity, lack of potable water, healthcare facilities and schools despite oil exploration activities in the area. They also alleged that oil operations had contributed to environmental degradation, affecting agriculture and aquatic life. The traditional ruler of Ogwuikpele, Anagboso Anselm Bernard Ignatius Okaka, said the community had initially welcomed SEEPCO with hopes that oil exploration would bring development, but alleged that those expectations had not been met. He called for improved infrastructure and greater government intervention, while urging the authorities to address the concerns of residents.

The President-General of Ogwuikpele, Esumai Patrick Chukwudi, also alleged that the community lacked adequate mechanisms to determine the volume of crude oil being transported from the area, accusing the company of failing to provide sufficient development benefits. He called for dialogue between SEEPCO and the host communities, stressing that residents had remained peaceful despite their grievances. The President-General of Ogwuaniocha, Vitalis Ekwuanua, said oil exploration had affected the environment, agriculture and aquatic life, while residents continued to struggle with inadequate infrastructure. Women leaders from the communities highlighted the difficulties faced by pregnant women and farmers because of poor roads, limited healthcare and expensive boat transportation. The communities also demanded meaningful representation in ANSOPADEC and stronger government oversight of oil operations. They appealed to the Federal and Anambra State Governments to urgently address their infrastructure and environmental concerns and ensure that the benefits of oil production translate into tangible development for the host communities.

#UTVAfrica#