By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has stepped in following the shutdown of operations belonging to Sterling Exploration Ltd (SEL) after Ijaw youths in Onuebum community, Ogbia Local Government Area, staged a protest over alleged violations of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The demonstration, tagged “Operation Stop Work,” began around 5:30 a.m. and was led by the National Leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, headed by Comrade Ari Fekorigha. Protesters accused the company of operating without conducting an EIA, breaching environmental and petroleum regulations, and failing to honor an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the host community.
Youth leaders, including Comrade John Bailiff Egapekpar, Chairman of the Onuebum Oil & Gas Committee, and Engr. Odumomusi Obaguo, led the demonstration, with participants displaying placards such as “SEL, Effect Section 326 of the PIA,” “Stop Violating the EIA and PIA,” and “Implement Section 235 of the PIA.”
Senior government officials and security agencies intervened to prevent an escalation. The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu; the Office of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, all played key roles in calming tensions and initiating dialogue.
Representing the Commissioner of Police at the protest site, Mrs. Stella Izevbigie—Divisional Police Officer of the Otuopkoti Police Division—announced that the Deputy Governor had scheduled a high-level negotiation meeting for November 26, 2025, at the Government House in Yenagoa. The meeting will bring together SEL management, IYC officials, and representatives of the Onuebum host community.
Following the government’s intervention, Comrade Fekorigha confirmed that the protest would be temporarily suspended to allow room for negotiation.
Reiterating the community’s grievances, Comrade Egapekpar alleged that SEL had failed to conduct an EIA as required by law and had not complied with key provisions of the PIA. He added that the company did not follow due process in acquiring its operational site and had yet to formally recognize or engage its host community.
Protesters warned that the shutdown would resume if SEL fails to address the issues raised. They said their priority is a peaceful resolution but stressed that the company must uphold environmental and petroleum laws and respect its obligations to the community.
IYC Director of Mobilization, Comrade Ari Fekorigha, expressed frustration over what he described as SEL’s repeated failure to implement agreements reached with the Onuebum community, noting that the matter had lingered unresolved for more than four years.
The community is demanding compliance with environmental regulations, adherence to the PIA, formal community engagement, and full implementation of the MOU.
The Bayelsa State Government assured the community of its commitment to facilitating dialogue and ensuring a peaceful resolution. It urged all stakeholders to remain calm as preparations continue for the negotiation meeting.
The scheduled meeting on November 26 is expected to provide a platform for all parties to address grievances and move toward a mutually acceptable solution.
