THE government of Anambra State has raised alarm that Sterling Energy Exploration And Production Company (SEEPCO) is engaging in crude oil theft in the state.
SEEPCO, is an oil producing company operating in Ogwu-Aniocha and Ogwu-Ikpele Communities in Ogbaru local government area of the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emman Ude Akpeh who led government’s delegation to visit the company to monitor compliance with the “Stop Work Order” recently issued against the company by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the oil company does not have any valid permits for its operations in the area
He noted that the “Stop Work Order” was issued following the company’s substantial noncompliance with the Environment Acts and Petroleum Acts.
Akpeh disclosed that SEEPCO obstructed government’s officials from carrying out their assignment, noting that the company has been engaging in illegal bunkering of crude oil as well as outright stealing of crude oil in the areas for the past six years.
He condemned the action of the company, whose Chief Security Officer, Navy Captain Charles Egbe (Rtd) ordered the military men stationed at the facility under the command of Army Captain J. Daniel to embark on targeted shooting of Anambra state government’s delegation who had to run for their lives.
Anambra state government called on the federal government to wade into the criminal activities as well as irresponsible environmental abuse of SEEPCO in the state while urging the law enforcement agencies to do the needful in giving the people adequate protection.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
In as much as state is supreme.. I beg to differ here…..Am from Ogwu-ikpele and the land in question is our land… pls first ask the delegates how they got to Ogwu? The road is not passable and they used flying boat. From Onitsha to Ogwu is not up to 20 mins on road and we pay almost #2000 to get to onitsha on boat… is it now that govt has finally remembered us… it’s only during election that we do see them.
How can they come without notice, asked the villagers to excuse them when they want to address the coy.
Why are they asking of immigration papers… is there any airport in Ogwu as if they landed in that village..
they better steal our oil and give us road than hope on a govt that only use and dump us.