FG Called To Steer Up Measures In Checkmating Oil Companies Activities
Odili Ogochukwu –
Sequel to the gross negligence of the oil producing communities, particularly, Ndokwa region by the Oil Companies, the federal government has been called upon steer up measures in checkmating the conducts of Oil Companies operating in the area.
The call became imperative following the wanton activities of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Company Limited, popularly known as Sterling Global against the host communities.
Sterling Global has been desecrating Ndokwa lands and waters through oil exploitation without adhering to ethical standards of oil exploration and oil and gas laws.
It was gathered that the company has not carried out proper clean-up on the environments resulting in various pipeline leakages in Okpai-Oluchi, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State.
It was further gathered that the Sterling Global has over twelve oil spillage in the community. Yet, no reasonable effort was put in place to arrest the situation.
Africa Investigative Magazine learnt that Sterling Global’s facilities (pipeline) cut across the communities in Ndokwa land including Okpai-Oluchi and nobody has been compensated for its protection for over eight years.
In an interview with newsmen, the company’s Human Resources/ Administrative Officer, Kwale Base Office, Mr. Chibuzor Ikwuobodo, (on forceful resignation) called on the government regulatory and monitory agencies to checkmate the activities of the oil companies for the interest of the people whose lives were badly affected, saying “attention should be given once there is a cry.”
Mr. Ikwuobodo alleged that the presence of the company has made life unlivable for the people dwelling in the area with no plan of action by the government or the company to write the wrongs.
Recall that Niger Delta Youths have on March 2022, embarked on a mega protest to register their grievances for what they described as evil activities perpetrated by some of the Oil Companies in the area.
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The Youths in their large numbers protested against the irregularities of the Sterling Global over gross negligence of corporate social responsibility projects to the host communities.
When asked about his expectation of the government, Ikwuobodo who wondered why oil spillage is not given utmost attention in Nigeria even as it affects climate and eco-system, urged the ministry of oil and gas to carry out her duties as assigned, for the oil companies to live up to expectation.
He attributes oil companies’ failure to comply with the required laws to poor response of the government towards scrutinizing the company’s activities.
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“In government axis, I will want them to checkmate the oil companies properly. There is what is called monitoring and regulatory body in oil industry. The respective authorities should carry out their duties as assigned.
“On the oil and gas, there are laws which comprises of national and international laws like the Paris Agreement and all that. They should try to obey at least 80% if not the 100%, then, it will be acceptable. But these days, they (oil companies) don’t care because whatever they do, they go scot free.
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“The companies damned on Federal Government’s laws, oil and gas laws, international laws as a result of poor monitoring bodies. So, the federal government should try as much as possible; the templates online, the information be passed across.
“Attention should be given once there is a cry. Imagine, many years Nigeria found her oil, till date, we are still facing the impact shell left behind. Shell are no longer on the land. They have gone onshore but the damage they caused we are still facing it till date,” he said.