By Rosemary Okoduwa
A dispute has erupted between Seplat Energy and the Abigborodo and Obotie communities in Delta State, Nigeria, over allegations of land encroachment. The communities accused Seplat Energy of illegally occupying their ancestral land, prompting a protest that disrupted the company’s operations.
However, Seplat Energy has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that the claims are “untrue and unfounded” According to the company, the host communities to their operations in the area are Ugbukurusu and Sapele-Okpe communities, not Abigborodo and Obotie communities.
Seplat Energy claims that with the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the associated benefits, the Abigborodo and Obotie communities began making false claims to the entire area hosting Seplat’s facilities in Sapele Field, within OML 41. The company asserts that it has not acquired any land from these communities for its operations within the area or at all.
The dispute stems from a misunderstanding over the host communities to Seplat Energy’s operations in the area. Seplat Energy claims that the records handed over by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to Seplat upon acquisition of the asset do not show Abigborodo and Obotie communities as host communities in the area.
Instead, the records evidence Sapele-Okpe Community and Ugbukurusu Community as the host communities to Seplat’s Sapele field facilities. Seplat Energy emphasizes that it has approvals from the Federal Ministry of Environment for its operations in the area, including the Environmental Impact Assessment.
In an attempt to resolve the dispute, a mediation meeting was scheduled at the office of the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas on November 28, 2024. However, the protesting communities failed to show up, instead opting to protest and invade Seplat’s location, disrupting the company’s operations
Despite the protests and allegations, Seplat Energy remains committed to following all relevant laws and regulations in carrying out its operations. The company is pursuing a peaceful resolution to the dispute, emphasizing its responsibility as a corporate entity to operate within the bounds of the law
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that Seplat Energy is taking a firm stance in denying the allegations of land encroachment. The company’s commitment to peaceful resolution and adherence to regulatory requirements will be crucial in resolving the dispute and maintaining stability in the region.