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Ben Eguzozie
Oil bearing communities in Ogwu-Ikpele, Anambra State, have shut down 12 oil wells belonging to Sterling Petroleum Energy Exploration Company (SNEEPCO), a subsidiary of Shell Nigeria, over allegations of neglect and environmental degradation.
The communities, comprising Ogwu-Ikpele, Umuokike, Umuanyasi, Umumgbeleke, Umuogbulishi, and Umuogbu, claim SNEEPCO has failed to fulfill its social corporate responsibilities (CSR), leaving them without basic amenities like roads, hospitals, and electricity.
The protest, which lasted two days, saw residents, including women and children, barricading access roads and shutting down oil wells and electricity supply facilities. The communities are demanding SNEEPCO address their grievances, including environmental damage, lack of employment opportunities, and inadequate compensation for oil exploration.
Their key demands include, employment opportunities, with the communities asking SNEEPCO to employ indigenes and provide job opportunities; provision of infrastructure development, with residents demanding roads, hospitals, electricity, and pipe-borne water; environmental remediation where the communities seek compensation for environmental damage and pollution.
Traditional leaders and community members lament the neglect, citing the company’s failure to fulfill agreements and promises. The Traditional Prime Minister of Ogwu-Ikpele Kingdom, Akaka Damian Aniagboso, expressed disappointment, saying the community has seen no benefits from oil exploration.
SNEEPCO has yet to comment on the allegations and demands. The protest has resulted in an estimated loss of N200 million for the company.
The situation highlights the ongoing struggles of oil-bearing communities in Nigeria, seeking fair compensation and development from multinational oil companies
