From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has waded into a raging dispute between Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) and its host communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The communities have accused the oil firm of neglecting its social responsibilities, citing a lack of basic amenities such as potable water, healthcare services, access roads and employment opportunities.
“What we want is fairness and a sense of belonging; our people need to see real development, water, health, access roads, jobs, not just promises,” a representative of the Ogwu Ikpele Community, Mr. Esumai Patrick Chukwudi, posited.
Also, Vitalis Ekweanua of Ogwu Aniocha Community stressed that the communities came to Abuja because of their belief in dialogue and desire to have a robust relationship that would serve the interest of everyone.
“We are not against operations; we are partners in progress, but host communities must see benefits where resources are taken,” he said.
In his submission, SEEPCO’s Head of Business Development, Mr. Rajender Bhangara, thanked the commission for providing the platform for the discussion, saying the company values the dialogue and had taken note of the grievances of the communities.
“We value this dialogue and the concerns raised; we have taken detailed notes and will return with our technical and operations teams to respond comprehensively,” he said, adding that the company’s operations within OML 143 link Anambra field locations to existing infrastructure in Delta State.
According to him, all produced volumes of oil and gas are monitored and accounted for through established metering and evacuation systems, assuring the gathering that the company would share the records, including gas flare and environmental compliance data, with the commission.
Speaking earlier during the engagement in Abuja, a commissioner, Ekene Enefe, disclosed that the committee called for the hearing because there were so many outstanding issues that needed to be thrashed out between the company and the host communities following some complaints that SEEPCO was not living up to its corporate social responsibility.
He emphasised the need to resolve the issues as they have direct revenue implications for the federation. He said if operations take place in a stable, inclusive, and conducive host community environment, the nation could be sure of higher, safer, and predictable revenue generation.
The commissioner asked the representative of SEEPCO, Mr. Rajender Bhangara, questions on whether the company had properly established a Host Community Development Trust as required under the Petroleum Industry Act; made the required contribution from its qualifying expenditure; and how those funds were being applied to infrastructure and environmental remediation.
He also enquired whether SEEPCO had conducted a needs assessment of the affected communities. He further requested information on gas flaring in the Ogbaru axis and evidence of flare penalty payments to government and compensation to the communities. He requested to know the metering systems used to determine flared volumes.
Enefe also queried the status of pipelines and wondered why the product was being evacuated from Anambra to Delta State without a local flow station or farm tank.
He also wanted the company to reveal the proportion of the stream of gas versus crude, and the extent of their commitment in terms of payment made to the communities under the existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
The RMAFC commissioner added that the committee expected full disclosure on scholarships awarded, indigene employment—especially full‑time, skilled workers—and visible infrastructure delivered in the communities hosting their operations.
Meanwhile, a member of the investment committee and commissioner representing Delta State in the commission, Matthew Aruviere Egharhevwa, emphasised the need for the representatives of SEEPCO to provide the database detailing the quantity of gas exploration and what had been embarked on in terms of human capital and infrastructural development.
Leave a comment