By Karen James
In the heart of Ogbaru 2 State Constituency, the residents of Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha communities find themselves trapped in a desperate situation as the oil exploration efforts by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SIPCO) continue to wreak havoc on their environment. The daily operations across five sites in the area have left behind a trail of destruction, obliterating economic trees, ravaging farmlands, contaminating aquatic life, and polluting the very air and water the people rely on for their survival. Shockingly, SIPCO has made no efforts to mitigate these environmental hazards, leaving the residents in dire need of assistance.
Hon. Engr. Ikenna Ofodeme, the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly and representative of Ekwusigo State Constituency, recently undertook an oversight duty to SIPCO. His encounters with the plight of the residents of Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha left him astounded by the dilapidated conditions and immense suffering endured by the host communities. In addition to the environmental devastation, insecurity plagues the area, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
The catastrophic circumstances faced by Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha are compounded by the absence of vital social amenities, such as electricity and roads. These communities, which host an oil exploration company, find themselves devoid of the very basic necessities that should come with such a presence. What is more alarming is that the Anambra State Government appears to be completely unaware of the extent of the oil exploration activities within their jurisdiction. With no records available regarding daily crude oil extraction, it has become evident that the state government is being shortchanged. Investigations have revealed a disturbing trend of oil theft, as pipelines stretching from Anambra to Asaba in Delta State are used to discharge and siphon the oil to undisclosed destinations. These illegal activities have resulted in significant financial losses for the Anambra State Government, depriving them of potential revenues.
Given these revelations, Hon. Engr. Ikenna Ofodeme asserts the urgent need for further investigations into the operations of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited. The relevant ministries must launch a thorough inquiry to ascertain whether the government was aware of SIPCO’s activities in the state. Furthermore, the majority leader shed light on another disheartening aspect – the complete absence of Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha personnel within SIPCO. Despite operating within their territories, the company has failed to employ any local residents from these communities or even from Anambra State. Instead, its workforce primarily consists of individuals from India, Rivers State, and Delta State. Moreover, SIPCO has demonstrated a shocking lack of social responsibility, failing to implement any schemes or initiatives to mitigate the harm caused by their operations.
As the residents of Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha communities continue to suffer from the environmental hazards inflicted upon them by SIPCO, it is imperative for both the state government and relevant authorities to intervene swiftly. The devastating consequences of unrestrained oil exploration demand immediate action to alleviate the plight of the affected communities and ensure accountability for SIPCO’s negligence.
