Tension as protest rocks Burutu over Oando’s harassment, intimidation, exclusion in Egran Deep ‘A’ oil field operations

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Tension has continued to erupt the peaceful abode of Egrangbene Deep ‘A’ oil field in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State following an attempt to intimidate and sideline some host communities in the operations of Oando Energy Resources Nig Limited.

According to a report, officials of the company encroached on the oil field with about two gun boats without proper engagement of host communities and its representatives, which sparked off reactions and distrust.

While crying aloud, the leadership and people of Eseimogbene (Eseimokumogbene) Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has made an urgent call to the general public, relevant authorities, and the management of Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited to the troubling development surrounding the ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Egrangbene Deep “A” Project.

The host community emphasised that since the commencement of the EIA exercise late last year, Oando had been engaging with some communities within the project area but refused to engage two critical host communities, Eseimogbene (Eseimokumogbene) and Donyegbene, adding that the exclusion from the process was unacceptable and unjustifiable.

The statement was signed by Engr. Yeigagha Henry JP, leader of the community which a copy was sent to Congress Newspaper on Monday evening.

The leadership added, “Eseimogbene Community has historically been recognized as one of the communities within the operational area of the project dating back to the tenure of the previous operating company before the asset was transferred to Oando. Our community was part of the recognized cluster of communities within the project environment. It is therefore surprising that Oando would attempt to proceed with environmental assessment activities without formally engaging or consulting our people.

“Under globally accepted environmental standards and Nigerian regulatory requirements, host communities must be consulted and properly engaged before and during Environmental Impact Assessment activities. This process is meant to ensure transparency, community participation, and protection of the environment and livelihoods of the people whose land and waters are directly affected.

‘Unfortunately, Oando appears to be adopting a divide-and-rule approach, engaging some communities while deliberately ignoring others that fall clearly within the operational impact radius. When confronted, representatives of the company claimed that communities within a 5-kilometre radius fall under their engagement framework. Yet both Eseimogbene and Donyegbene communities fall within this stated radius, making their exclusion highly questionable.

“Equally disturbing is the manner in which these operations are being carried out. The deployment of naval gunboats and heavy security presence during what should ordinarily be a civil environmental assessment exercise has created an atmosphere of intimidation and militarization in our environment. Such an approach sends the wrong signal to peaceful host communities and undermines trust.

“We must emphasize that Eseimogbene and Donyegbene communities are peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to constructive engagement. Our people have never been opposed to development. What we demand is fairness, transparency, and proper recognition as stakeholders in matters affecting our land and environment.

“We wish to make it clear that no activity that directly affects our environment can legitimately proceed while our communities are deliberately excluded from the consultation and assessment process. Our position is not a threat but a firm insistence on justice, equity, and due process.

“Therefore, we call on the Delta State Government and the Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area to urgently intervene in this matter by convening a stakeholders’ meeting where Oando Energy Resources will clearly address the host communities and explain the modalities guiding the Environmental Impact Assessment process in the Egrangbene Deep “A” project area.

“We also urge the company to immediately correct this oversight by engaging Eseimogbene and Donyegbene communities as rightful stakeholders within the project environment.

“The people of Eseimogbene remain committed to peace and cooperation, but fairness and respect for host communities must guide every operation in our land”, the statement noted.