The Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming host communities in oil-producing areas into model communities through the development of schools, roads, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.
This assurance was given by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya, during a one-day dialogue held in Awka. The event focused on building trust and transparency and strengthening relationships among stakeholders, the government, and host communities.
Organized by a non-governmental organization, the dialogue brought together traditional rulers, Presidents General, youth leaders, extractive stakeholders, security agencies, and the Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Engineer Ikechukwu Okafor.
Barrister Ifeanya emphasized the urgent need to build confidence between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), the state government, and host communities. He warned that achieving model communities would be impossible without peace and highlighted that poor development in oil communities often leads to restiveness. He stressed the importance of giving host communities a sense of belonging.
Referring to sections 234 and 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Mr. Tony Ebeonwu, a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for Ogwu-Anocha, and Mr. Chukwujioha Mbonu, a community liaison officer, confirmed that SEEPCO has complied with BOT membership requirements but noted that management and advisory committees are yet to be constituted.
Honourable Sunday Madupue, the President General of Ogwu-Ikpele in Ogbaru Council Area, expressed concern that despite the constitution of BOT members on December 8, 2023, the management board has not been established within the stipulated thirty days, which he noted is a violation of the law.
During a lecture on Extractive and Environmental Impact Assessment in Anambra State’s oil-producing communities, Professor Charity Emelie from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University called for the involvement of trained and qualified experts to oversee sustainable development methods and technologies. She urged the government to focus on human resource training and capacity development programs and to minimize unnecessary political interference in projects.
