Seplat Energy denies encroaching on Delta community lands
FILE PHOTO: An oil rig
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Jethro Ibileke
The management of oil firm, Seplat Energy has denied encroaching on community lands in Abigborodo and Obotie communities of Delta State.
Both communities are in Warri North and Sapele Local Government Areas respectively in the state State.
Seplat Energy made the denial in a statement by its Manager (Corporate Communications, External Affairs & Social Performance), Stanley Opara, in response to protests by members of the communities last Friday.
Opara described the allegation as both untrue and unfounded.
The statement said in part:
“Our attention was drawn to a media report indicating that there was a protest by the Abigborodo and Obotie communities in Warri North Local Government Area and Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State, where the communities accused Seplat of illegally encroaching on their land.
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“This alleged claim is both untrue and unfounded. The host communities to Seplat’s operations in that area are Ugbukurusu and Sapele-Okpe communities.
“With the enactment of the PIA and the associated benefits derived therefrom, these communities (Abigborode and Obotie Communities) started laying false claims to the entire area hosting Seplat’s facilities in Sapele Field, within OML 41.
The records handed over by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to Seplat upon acquisition of the asset do not show these communities to be host communities in this area. Their names do not form part of the host communities handed over to Seplat by SPDC. The records evidence Sapele-Okpe Community and Ugbukurusu Community as the host communities to Seplat’s Sapele field facilities.
“From inception till date, Seplat has not acquired any land from these communities for its operations within that area or at all. This is also to emphasise that on the Environmental Impact Assessment of our operations in the area, we have approvals from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“The protesting communities had initiated a mediation meeting at the office of the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas scheduled for 28th November 2024. Although Seplat Team, as well as Sapele-Okpe Community Representatives were present at the meeting, the protesting communities (Abigborodo and Ugbekoko communities) did not show up but rather resorted to a protest and invaded Seplat’s location thereby unjustly disrupting Seplat’s operations.”
Seplat however stated that as a responsible corporate entity, it will continue to follow all relevant laws and regulations in carrying out its operation and pursuing peaceful resolution of the unfounded claims of the protesting communities.
