Seplat Energy debunks protest by host communities in Delta


By Elvis Omoregie


The management of Seplat Energy has debunked the news making the rounds of an alleged protest by its host communities, Abigborodo and Obotie in Warri North Local Government Area and Sapele LGA both in Delta State.

The communities are  allegedly accusing Seplat of encroaching on their lands.

In a statement signed by Stanley Opara
Manager, Corporate Communications
External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, made available to Journalists in Benin, said the claim is  untrue and unfounded. 

The host communities to Seplat’s operations in that area are Ugbukurusu and Sapele-Okpe communities adding that 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.

Opara said 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 these areas. 

He said 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. 

He maintained that from inception till date, Seplat has not acquired any lands from these communities for its operations within that area at all. 

He added that this is also to emphasise that on the Environmental Impact Assessment of their operations in the area, they 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. 

However, as a responsible corporate entity, Seplat 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.  

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