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Residents of Ugbekoko, a community in Delta State’s Sapele Local Government Area, have accused Seplat Energy of neglecting its responsibilities toward them despite operating extensively on their land in the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve.
In a letter signed by community leaders Elder Ray Mene (Chairman) and Comrade Sunny Akra (Public Relations Officer), the group cited provisions of Section 318 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which qualifies them as a host community entitled to royalties from Seplat Energy. They emphasized that Seplat’s Sapele West Flow Station, along with oil and gas pipelines, is situated within Ugbekoko’s territory.
The letter, titled “Seplat’s Unrelenting Marginalization of Ugbekoko Community: Enough Is Enough,” was sent to the Director of State Security Services and received on November 25. The community demanded the immediate establishment of a Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) and payment of statutory royalties as mandated by the PIA.
They warned that failure to meet these demands within 28 days would prompt them to seek legal and administrative action.
The letter also referenced a 2020 Delta State Government White Paper affirming Ugbekoko’s legitimate land ownership and right to benefits from oil activities. According to the White Paper, a judicial panel had highlighted complaints of royalty denial and environmental degradation by oil companies operating in the area.
The community expressed frustration at Seplat’s continued neglect, accusing the company of operating with impunity despite the overwhelming evidence supporting their claims.
In their demands, Ugbekoko leaders reiterated the need for an HCDT and immediate royalty payments to address long-standing grievances.
While calling for intervention from the Department of State Security to de-escalate growing tensions, they noted:
“IMMEDIATE CONSTITUTION OF UGBEKOKO HOST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST, AND TO PAY THE STATUTORY ROYALTIES AS PROVIDED UNDER THE PETRLEUM INDUSTRY ACT.”
The letter underscores rising tensions in the region as host communities seek equitable benefits from resource extraction activities.
