SEEPCO Uncovers 11 Illegal Refineries, 25 Theft Points In Anambra
The Sterling Oil Exploration and Engineering Petroleum Company (SEEPCO) , a petroleum exploration company in Anambra, says it has uncovered 11 Illegal refineries in different parts of Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State .
Officials of SEEPCO disclosed this during a public hearing on the activities of the company at the Anambra House of Assembly on Tuesday.
Mr Austin Brown, General Manager, Community Relations and Security of SEEPCO said insecurity and environmental challenges in Ogbaru Area had negative effects on its activities in the state.
Brown said about 25 tappings had been discovered along the pipelines where oil thieves were siphoning crude for their nefarious activities.
He said illegal refining, increasing militancy by gunmen and intercommunity strife had resulted in abduction, loss of lives of some members of staff of the company and reduced output.
He recalled that on June 11, gunmen attacked their workers, killed three soldiers and abducted nine members of staff who were later rescued in Ihiala.
Brown said the company carried out Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) and was executing some projects under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
According to him, we constituted the Host Community Development Trust where three percent of our annual budget is being paid, we renovated a primary healthcare centre and we are constructing some roads.
On his part, Mr Chidi Ibeneme, Chairman House Committee on Petroleum said SEEPCO was not complying with provisions of local content act as members of the host communities working in the company were largely casual workers
Ibeneme called on the company to invest more on education and healthcare of the people of the area.
He said the Assembly would ensure that welfare, revenue and development benefits accruing to the state and host communities were guaranteed under their oil exploration activities.
Other members of the Assembly including Ikenna Ofodeme, Majority Leader of the House, Me Noble Igwe, representing Ogbaru 1 Constituency and other took turns to ask probing questions which bothers on the impact of the company on the lives of host communities.
Dr Somto Udeze, Speaker of the Assembly who read the resolution of the House said the invitation was sequel to the huge number of petitions against the impact of the operations of the oil companies by the host communities.
Udeze, who hailed from one of the host communities, said SEEPCO should provide documentary Evidence of the constitution of the host communities trust, EIA, CSR and other claims at their next appearance on Nov. 17
“Provide evidence showing that three percent of your annual budget has been paid for 2022, 2023, 2024 and projects executed so far as CSR as well as document showing needs assessment of Host Communities.
“Comprehensive document showing the EIA, natural gas flare elimination and monetisation plan with respect to Section 108 of PIA and your plans for decommissioning and abandonment after work.
“Evidence of out-put metering regarding the quantity of oil and gas produced daily, list of Anambra indigenes who are staff of the company and evidence of payment of tax to the state from inception till date,” he said .
Udeze said other firms invited but did not appear were Sahara Energy Resources , Orient Petroleum CottonWood Gas and the Commissioner of Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Agency.
