In a bid to address the concerns over oil exploration activities Anambra State House of Assembly has received a comprehensive oversight report from the House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources over the alarming issues surrounding the operations of Steering Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) in Ogwuikpele community, Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The oversight report was presented to the House by the Committee Chairman Honourable Chidiebele Ibemeka during a plenary session.
Speaking to journalists after presenting the report, Honourable Ibemeka, representing Njikoka Constituency One, highlighted numerous grievances expressed by the host community and concerns over the company’s operations, such as disregard to the host community rights and their involvement in economic sabotage.
He expressed dismay over the company’s failure to employ at least one Onye Anambra and fulfill any form of corporate social responsibilities despite flourishing business operations, and noted that during the oversight visit, the committee’s investigation unearthed numerous violations of both the Petroleum Industrial Act and regulations of operations in the state.
Honourable Ibemeka revealed that the company had sought approval through a sister company to lay eighteen inches pipes from Imo state through Anambra to Delta, but it was discovered that the company had already started laying pipes without approval of right of way.
The lawmaker expressed regret over the company’s disregard for environmental impact assessments and public safety, such that their high level of gas flay has made members of the host community to vacate their ancestral home.
Honourable Ibemeka maintained that also troubling is the absence of hydrocarbon accounting mechanisms at the company’s facilities, allowing for unchecked transport and distribution of crude oil to unknown destinations, hence depriving the state government of vital revenue streams, and assured that swift and legitimate actions will be taken to call the company to order and ensure that both governmental revenues and the community’s interests are safeguarded.
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