Niger Delta communities demand action from Oriental Energy over unfulfilled commitment

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) staged a protest at the headquarters of Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL) in Lagos on Monday, expressing outrage over the company’s alleged repeated breaches of contractual agreements with its host communities in Effiat/Mbo, Akwa Ibom State

The protesters from the host communities led by the Akwa Ibom State and Lagos chapters of the CDHR barricaded the premises of the oil company early Monday morning carrying placards with various inscriptions demanding justice.

The community leaders stressed how the OERL has continued to disrespect and exploit the communities despite several pleas and agreements reached with it.

The chairmen of both wings of CDHR took turns addressing the protesters while calling out the company management to acknowledge the protest letter and respond to the accusations raised.

Addressing the angry protesters, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State branch of CDHR, Comrade Ndifreke Afangideh, highlighted that OERL has consistently demonstrated a callous disregard for agreements, laws, and the rights of the host communities despite numerous efforts by stakeholders to compel compliance.

The community leaders also took turns to narrate how OERL has disrespected and exploited the communities, flagrantly disregarding agreements signed in November 2023 and October 2024.

They called out the company management to acknowledge the protest letter and respond to the accusations raised.

The CDHR demanded that OER, immediately comply with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, specifically the Community Content Guidelines.

Fulfill all agreements reached with the Effiat/Mbo host communities in good faith, and take concrete steps to address the grievances and concerns of the host communities.

The CDHR also demanded that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) take immediate action to enforce compliance with the NOGICD Act 2010 and hold OERL accountable for its actions.

After hours of waiting, the management mandated the company’s Chief Security Officer to acknowledge the protest letter on its behalf while pledging to uphold the agreements.

Oriental Energy Resources Limited was founded by Dr. Muhammadu Indimi who has over 20 years of experience in the Nigerian upstream oil and gas sector.

The company’s board of directors includes prominent individuals including; Goni Sheikh, Mustafa Indimi, Amina Indimi-Fodio, Ibrahim Indimi, and Ahmed Indimi.

This is not the first controversy surrounding OERL. In July 2023, a firm, Uniterm Nigeria Limited, asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to wind up OERL over an alleged $1.45 million debt.

Additionally, a Federal High Court in Lagos restrained OERL from withdrawing, transferring, or removing any funds, properties, or assets.