By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.
The Bayelsa State Government on Tuesday intervened after indigenes and youths of Onuebum community in Ogbia Local Government Area shut down the operations of Sterling Exploration Ltd (SEL) over alleged violations of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and non-compliance with key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The protest, which began at about 5:30 a.m., was tagged “Operation Stop Work” and drew the participation of the National Leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, led by its Director of Mobilization and Chairman of the Action Committee, Comrade Ari Fekorigha.
Led by the Onuebum Oil & Gas Committee Chairman, Comrade John Bailiff Egapekpar, the Community Development Committee Chairma,n Comrade Kotor Jonathan, and youth leader Engr. Odumomusi Obaguo, the protesters accused SEL of operating in the community without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment, violating extant environmental and petroleum laws, informally acquiring operational sites, and failing to honour an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the host community.
Demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as: “SEL, effect Section 326 of the PIA,” “SEL, stop violating the EIA and PIA,” and “SEL, implement Section 235 of the PIA.”
They vowed that exploration activities would remain suspended until the company addresses their demands, which have been lingering for over Four Years.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, IYC Director of Mobilization, Comrade Ari Fekorigh, expressed disappointment over SEL’s alleged refusal to implement the agreement reached with the Onuebum community.
“The unresolved disagreement between the SEL and the Onuebum community has lingered for over four years—it is deeply worrisome. The IYC engaged SEL for a peaceful resolution, but the company failed to respond,” he said
Tension was eased following swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu, the Office of the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and phone calls from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
Representing the Commissioner of Police at the protest site, Mrs. Stella Izevbigie, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otuopkoti Police Division, informed the protesters that the Deputy Governor had slated a high-level negotiation meeting for November 26, 2025, at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The meeting is expected to bring together the SEL’s management, IYC leadership, and Representatives of the Onuebum community..
Responding to the government’s assurances, Comrade Ari Fekorigha announced that the “stop-work” action would be temporarily suspended to allow room for negotiations.
“We are committed to dialogue, but let it be clear: the protest will resume immediately if SEL fails to honour the demands of the host community,” he warned.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Onuebum Oil & Gas Committee, Comrade John Bailiff Egapekpar, reiterated that SEL had allegedly failed to conduct an EIA as mandated by law,
Comply with the PIA and related regulations,
Follow due process in its operational site acquisition, and accord formal visitation and recognition to its host community.
A community source told our correspondent that “With the shutdown temporarily lifted, all eyes now turn to the scheduled November 26 negotiation, where stakeholders hope to resolve the long-standing disagreements and establish a legally compliant framework for SEL’s continued operations in Onuebum.”
Efforts to reach Sterling Exploration Ltd (SEL) for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
