Bayelsa Govt Wades In As Ijaw Youths Shut Down Oil Firm Over Alleged EIA, PIA Violations
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Bayelsa State Government has stepped in after indigenes and youths of Onuebum Community in Ogbia Local Government Area shut down the operations of Sterling Exploration Ltd (SEL), accusing the firm of violating the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) laws and failing to comply with key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The protest, which began at about 5:30 am and was tagged “Operation Stop Work”, drew the participation of the national leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, led by its Director of Mobilization and Chairman of the Action Committee, Comrade Ari Fekorigha.
The community demonstration was jointly led by the Chairman of the Onuebum Oil & Gas Committee, Comrade John Bailiff Egapekpar; the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Comrade Kotor Jonathan; and youth leader, Engr. Odumomusi Obaguo. According to them, SEL has been operating without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment, informally acquiring operational sites, and refusing to honour an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the host community.
The aggrieved protesters displayed placards with inscriptions such as: “SEL, effect Section 326 of the PIA,” “SEL, stop violating the EIA and PIA,” and “SEL, implement Section 235 of the PIA.”
They vowed that exploration activities would remain suspended until SEL addressed their demands, which they said had lingered for over four years.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, IYC Director of Mobilization, Comrade Ari Fekorigha, expressed disappointment over SEL’s alleged refusal to implement agreements reached with Onuebum Community.
“The unresolved disagreement between SEL and Onuebum community, lingering for over four years, is deeply worrisome. The IYC engaged SEL for a peaceful resolution, but the company failed to respond,” he said.
Government Steps In, Tension Eases
The tension was later eased following swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu; the Office of the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; and phone calls from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
Representing the Commissioner of Police at the protest site, Mrs. Stella Izevbigie, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otuopkoti Police Division, told protesters that the deputy governor had scheduled a high-level negotiation meeting for November 26, 2025, at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The meeting is expected to bring together SEL’s management, IYC leadership, and representatives of Onuebum Community.
Responding to the intervention, Comrade Ari Fekorigha announced a temporary suspension of the “stop-work” action to allow room for negotiations.
“We are committed to dialogue, but let it be clear: the protest will resume immediately if SEL fails to honour the demands of the host community,” he warned.
Community Reiterates Demands
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Onuebum Oil & Gas Committee, Comrade John Bailiff Egapekpar, reiterated that SEL had allegedly failed to conduct an EIA as mandated by law, comply with the PIA and related regulations, follow due process in operational site acquisition, and officially engage with the host community through recognized procedures.
A community source said: “With the shutdown temporarily lifted, all eyes now turn to the scheduled November 26 negotiation, where stakeholders hope to resolve the long-standing disagreements and establish a legally compliant framework for SEL’s continued operations in Onuebum.”
Efforts to reach Sterling Exploration Ltd (SEL) for comments were unsuccessful.
