Group Expresses Displeasure Writes Oriental Energy to Highlights Need for Complaince

PRESS RELEASE AND PROTEST letter

To: Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL) and the Press

We, the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) and representatives of the Effiat/Mbo host communities in Akwa Ibom State, are compelled to express our utmost outrage, disappointment, and utter disgust at OERL’s blatant, persistent, and egregious disregard for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, specifically the Community Content Guidelines.

Background
Despite numerous, tireless, and well-intentioned efforts by various stakeholders, OERL has consistently demonstrated a callous disregard for agreements, laws, and the rights of the host communities. These efforts include:

– A protest letter from His Royal Majesty Ogwong Okon Abang, Paramount Ruler of Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to OERL’s Chairman on January 4, 2022, highlighting the need for compliance
– A letter from Barr. Edwin Essien on behalf of the host community to the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, on August 2, 2022, compelling OERL to comply with the law
– A follow-up letter from the Paramount Ruler to the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, on November 7, 2022, reiterating the importance of adherence
– An agreement signed between OERL and the host community on November 23, 2023, which has been flagrantly disregarded
– A reminder letter from the Paramount Ruler to OERL’s MD on December 6, 2023, referencing the agreement and requesting compliance which fell on deaf ears
– Another agreement between OERL and the host community in October 2024, which was entered into with no intention of fulfillment, further underscoring OERL’s duplicitous nature
– A 21-day ultimatum issued by the Obolo Youth Coalition Worldwide (OYCW) on January 17, 2025, threatening disruptions if OERL failed to comply, which was met with indifference
– Intervention by the DSS and CDHR, leading to a meeting on January 24, 2025, where OERL agreed to comply, only to renege
– Letters from CDHR to OERL on January 24, 2025, and to NCDMB on January 29, 2025, emphasizing the need for compliance, which were ignored
– Publication of the agreement by CDHR to all media houses on February 10, 2025, to bring attention to OERL’s recalcitrance
– A follow-up letter from CDHR to OERL on February 14, 2025, reiterating the demand for compliance, which has been met with silence

NCDMB’s Failure to Enforce
We also condemn the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its failure to enforce compliance, overlooking OERL’s egregious actions, and maintaining a deafening silence despite overwhelming evidence of OERL’s disregard for the law. As the regulatory body responsible for ensuring compliance with the NOGICD Act 2010, NCDMB’s inaction has emboldened OERL’s recalcitrance.

Today’s Action
Given OERL’s persistent, deliberate, and egregious disregard for agreements, laws, and the rights of the host communities, and NCDMB’s failure to enforce compliance, we are left with no choice but to occupy OERL’s office today to assert that the rights of the people are non-negotiable.

Demands
We demand that:

1. OERL immediately comply with the NOGICD Act 2010, specifically the Community Content Guidelines, without further delay or excuses.
2. OERL fulfill all agreements reached with the Effiat/Mbo host communities in good faith.
3. OERL take concrete steps to address the grievances and concerns of the host communities.
4. NCDMB take immediate action to enforce compliance with the NOGICD Act 2010 and hold OERL accountable for its actions.

Conclusion
OERL’s actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the law, agreements, and the rights of the host communities. NCDMB’s failure to enforce compliance has further exacerbated the situation. We call on the relevant authorities to intervene, hold OERL accountable, and ensure compliance. We will continue to advocate for the rights of the host communities as long as CDHR is concerned.

Signed,
Comrade Ndifreke Afangide
State Chairman, CDHR Akwa Ibom State branch

Comrade Barr. Fidelis Igwe
State Secretary, CDHR Akwa Ibom State branch