Ogwuikpele, Ogwuaniocha communities protest lack of amenities despite oil deposits, accuse SEEPCO of negligence

By Ifeizu Joe

Ogwuaniocha and Ogwuikpele communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested the lack of amenities in their communities, despite huge oil deposits.

The communities accused an oil mining company operating in the area, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) and the Anambra State government of neglecting them.

Some members of the communities who spoke to journalists during a visit to the areas complained about negligence on the part of SEEPCO particularly, saying the company has not fulfilled some of their obligations, including scholarships to indigenes of the area and establishment of some amenities like schools, hospitals and access roads.

The traditional ruler of Ogwuikpele Community, Odua Ukwu Ogwuikpele, Anagboso Anselm Bernard Ignatius Okaka, in an interview decried the poor living conditions in the oil-producing community, calling on the Federal and Anambra State governments to urgently address the infrastructure and environmental challenges confronting his people.

“When the oil exploration company SEEPCO came into our community, we thought good things had come to stay. We never knew we were going to face the worst of it all. The life we were living before was far better than what we are experiencing today.

“The oil they are drilling has caused deaths among our people. The death toll this month has increased to seven within August. Here, they get the oil, but we have not seen any sign of the 13 per cent derivation meant for us. We are living as if we are inside holes.”

Also, the President-General of the community, Hon. Esumai Patrick Chukwudi, also criticised the operations of SEEPCO, alleging that the company had failed to deliver meaningful development to the community despite years of oil exploration.

In Ogwuaniocha, a neighbouring community to Ogwuikpele, the indigenes said they lacked every amenity that was associated with modern living. The community’s President General, Hon. Vitalis Ekwuanua He said oil exploration had affected agriculture, aquatic life and the environment, while the community continued to lack basic infrastructure.

“We have oil in our communities, yet we are suffering the effects of oil exploration. Our aquatic life, agricultural production and environment have all been affected,” he lamented.

The communities called for the reconstitution of Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ANSOPADEC), saying their umbrella body, Ogbaru Oil and Gas Technical Committee (OOGTC) are demanding meaningful representation in the commission, including consideration of community indigenes for leadership positions.

The Ogbaru Oil and Gas Technical Committee (OOGTC) Chairman, Engr Anthony Egwuatu disclosed that the two communities are only legitimately demanding that both SEEPCO fulfil its commitments and government provide public services and institutional support.