Who Beats A Child And Seizes Her Tears? Sterling Global Does

Odili Ogochukwu –

It does not sound funny anymore how some visitors,  tenants outsmart their hosts and landlords taking over their lands and properties without query as if there is no laid down doctrines, principles, or rules and regulations prohibiting such action. Do you wonder why companies violate laws and oppress host communities without recourse to conscience? This is the case of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).

A saying by elders has it that “you cannot beat a child and seize his tears.” Unfortunately, this adage has no space within SEEPCO. Sterling Global, as the Oil Firm is popularly known as, has gone beyond measures by taking host communities, pipeline landlords and others for granted. These days, it is regrettable to say that the unimaginable happens repeatedly.

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What ought to be a peaceful adventure resulting from divine impartation in Ndokwaland has become a bone across the esophagus. Can you beat a child and seize his tears? No. However, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited can. It has continued to oppress and suppress Ndokwa Nation with one hearing Ndokwa people’s voice in tears.

Without any kind of benefit, Sterling Global has displaced some landlords of Ndokwa East and West Local Government Areas, particularly, Okpai-Oluchi due to its activities. It makes unlivable and  miserable for the poor inhabitants who are in position to treasure petroleum resources God blesses them with.

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Before the advent of Sterling Global in the region, their major sources of livelihood were crop cultivation and fishery. Unfortunately, the land and water have been poisoned by crude products that littered in some areas. The poor and helpless farmers could no longer cultivate crops nor the fishermen go to the river as both have been contaminated by oil elements.

Lives, businesses, climate, ecosystem were affected tremendously. Starvation, sickness, death, to mention but just a few, paved it’s way into the locality as SEEPCO installations occupied major and strategic parts of the communities. Nobody was compasented. Nobody was paid for pipeline surveillance. No meaningful project was initiated or executed by the said company milking the region dry.

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The environments were not maintained. The milk and honey in Ndokwa land are thus, for the pleasure of SEEPCO. A dead man does not hide his nakedness from the people that baths him. To set the record straight, SEEPCO should challenge this report by coming out publicly with the evidences of doing the needful.

Hen is not silent when the hawk carries her chick. Concerned personalities, groups and individuals have cried out loud to the company and respective authorities to no avail. The state government under the leadership of Sen Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa paid deaf ears. Letters have been written, several calls and appeal have been made to attract the government’s intervention; ultimately, nothing is achieved.

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Has the company joined forces with the government to ravage the people bearing the consequences of oil ingredients and facilities buried in their lands? This calls for concern because SEEPCO has subjected people to threats, suffering and troubles over what rightfully belong to them.

Chief G.E Ikwuobodo is one of the victims of SEEPCO. He is a major landlord. Apart from the pipeline laid in his compound, the family has oil pipeline in Okwuibome oil field as well as 42 functioning oil wells that Sterling Global operates. Nevertheless, the government and the company have resisted efforts to see to his needs.

Chief G.E Ikwuobodo who spoke to a team of Journalist at his residence in Kwale during the weekend lamented that he  became a widower while making an attempt to get his entitlements and compensation for the damages from Sterling Global. He alleged that the company further compounded his condition by retrenching his son for an unjustified reason.

This has been the tears of Ndokwa nation and people whose lands and other properties have been greatly affected. The company is yet to grant Africa Investigative Magazine audience including addressing the public on this subject that has driven so many people their graves.

In all, one question begs for an answer. What inspired the Sterling Global to ignore the calls to live up to expectations in Ndokwa region and address issues without squeezing lives out of people? It is not a crime for the community to allow Sterling Global operate peacefully.

The governments should rise to it’s responsibilities by responding to the cries of the Ndokwa nation, including the people under the oppression and suppression of the oil firms.