Isaac Samuel
A coalition of ex-militants under the aegis of the Niger Delta Volunteers has raised concerns over alleged neglect and poor treatment of host communities by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd, an Indian-owned firm operating in Akwa Ibom State.
In a petition addressed to the company’s Managing Director and made available to journalists in Abuja, the group alleged that the firm’s operations in Akwa Ibom State have failed to meet local content obligations, community welfare expectations and provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The statement, signed by Gen. Ekpo Ekpo, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteers, and Maj. Gen. Henry Okon Etete, the group’s director of information and communication, claimed that indigenes have been excluded from key employment and managerial roles, while large numbers of foreign workers have been brought in for positions ordinarily meant for locals.
But the company’s Media liason officer, Uduak Ekpo, in her response denied all the allegations against the oil firm, saying that the claims by the coalition do not represent what the company stands for.
“The letter’s contents do not accurately reflect our company’s actions and stance”, she said.
The petition was also sent to the the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, the Minister of Petroleum, the Minister of Gas, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the High Commissioner of India in Abuja.
The Volunteers further alleged that the company’s activities had affected waterways, fishing livelihoods and farmlands in some host communities without adequate compensation..
The group maintained that the firm had yet to establish the mandatory Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) as required by the PIA, and had sidelined local contractors in the award of service contracts.
The ex-militants declared that their people can no longer tolerate the undignified way and manner In which the firm is operating.
They alleged that the company has failed to employ youths from the host communities or provide them with skills training, while excluding indigenes from key managerial roles in violation of Nigeria’s Local Content Act.
“Instead of empowering the locals, the company has imported over ten thousand expatriate workers, including gatekeepers, welders and helpers, positions ordinarily meant for Akwa Ibomites.
“Our people’s livelihoods are being destroyed while the company refuses to compensate them. Fishermen across more than 30 communities have lost their fishing equipment and have received nothing to remedy the hardship caused,” the statement read.
On workers’ welfare, the Volunteers alleged that the firm has been “maltreating its workers, particularly the locals, with poor remuneration that is not commensurate with economic realities,” and even denied them official employment letters, identification, or benefits.
They also decried discrepancies in treatment between community staff and outsiders, insisting that Nigerians from other states are given higher pay for the same jobs, while locals are marginalised.
Demanding immediate redress, the Niger Delta Volunteers insisted that the company must remedy all the ills and shortfalls identified in their letter, including paying adequate compensation to landowners, constituting the HCDT, and replacing foreign workers with qualified host community indigenes.
They warned that failure to comply with their demands will be met with resistance.
“If the Company fails, neglects or refuses to meet the demands as contained herein, we the Niger Delta Volunteers shall embark on mass protest against the company. We do hope that these demands will not be taken for granted but shall be honoured speedily in the best interest of all the parties involved”, he said.
