Delta Community Accuses Firm Of Encroaching On Ancestral Land

Residents of Kare-Epere Zion Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have accused Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, also known as Sterling Global, of encroaching on their ancestral land and conducting unauthorised soil-testing activities.

The residents also expressed fears that the company’s operations could lead to their displacement from the community.

The community’s chairman, Moses Tomone, raised the concerns, alleging that residents had been told to vacate the area following alleged arrangements between Sterling Oil and leaders of neighbouring Agge Community in Bayelsa State over the disputed territory.

According to Tomone, activities linked to the oil company have affected portions of land used for farming and fishing, raising concerns among residents about the future of their settlement and livelihoods.

Questioning the basis of any arrangement that could affect land occupied by Kare-Epere residents without their knowledge and consent, the community called on the Delta State Government, Burutu Local Government Council and prominent Ijaw leaders to intervene.

“Agge, which lies along the Atlantic Ocean coastline in Bayelsa State, is separated from Kare-Epere by a river. Kare-Epere is in Delta State, and any dealings between Agge and Sterling Oil should not involve ceding part of Kare-Epere’s land to the company,” Tomone said.

The chairman also alleged that Agge had been collecting rent from Sterling Oil for operations on land claimed by Kare-Epere, adding that soil-testing and excavation activities had taken place without adequate consultation with the community.

A resident, Pere Basil, maintained that the community’s decades-long occupation and historical ties to the land should be considered in any negotiations or commercial arrangements involving the territory.

He expressed concern that the activities could damage farmland and fishing areas on which local families depend.

Tomone further claimed that the company pays ₦50,000 monthly to the entire community under a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) involving seven communities in the Age-Kou clan: Youtu, Agge-Okibo, Okofaka, Okibozion, Okia, Kare-Epere Zion Community and Belle Community, all in Burutu Local Government Area.

A community representative, David Ugolo, questioned the adequacy of the reported payment and called for greater transparency regarding the company’s host-community arrangements.

He also raised concerns about compliance with relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), demanding clarification of the company’s obligations and the benefits due to affected communities.

Ugolo lamented the lack of basic amenities, including electricity, schools, good roads and safe drinking water, warning that any displacement could worsen the economic hardship facing families who depend on farming and fishing.

“How can a stranger chase a child out of his father’s land? Has it ever been recorded that a stranger enters someone else’s house and claims ownership?” he asked.

The community appealed to the Delta State Government, the Chairman of Burutu Local Government Council, Hon. Julius Takeme, and prominent Ijaw leaders to investigate the disputed land arrangements and prevent the situation from escalating.

Sterling Oil declined to provide an official response despite several attempts to contact the company for this report. Agge Community had also not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.