Anselem Anokwute 

The people of Obokofia Olosho Kingdom in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State has posed for serious meltdown and war against the Imo State Government and Sterling Global Oil Company operating in the land on the issue of closing eyes and allow evil against the people on the side of the government and gross misconduct, land stealing, Negligence, environmental pollutions and destructions on the side of Sterling Global.

Decrying their ordeal to newsmen last Thursday, 22 February 2024, at Obokofia Olosho Kingdom village center Ohaji Egbema Council Areas of Imo State, the Stakeholders, explained that, the issue is worrisome in such a way that they are now prepared to die instead of living to see such deprivation, Negligence and cheat against them and called on the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to come into their assistant to call the company to order to avoid unwanted destructions of lives and property.

Speaking, Community Leader,  Elder Chris Mpuruoma, stated that, the people of Obokofia Olosho Kingdom have used all available means to ensure peace and tranquility with the company but to no avail as the people are no longer happy with the company 

He pointed out that the community is posed for war against the evil penetrations of the company in the kingdom and called on the Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma to come to their rescue as quick as possible to avoid breaking down of law and order.

"We are badly neglected by Sterling Global Oil Company. This is not the way to illegally acquired Land without prior knowledge of the host community and all our attempts to draw their attention proves abortive and the community has no other alternatives than to follow them up to stop all this illegal operations", 

"They have been trucking crude oil since 5 five years ago and now they have decided to use pipe and couldn't even pay the Land owners as they priced (200000) Two Hundred Thousand Naira per plot for the next 35 years and we told them that it's below the standard and instead of coming for negotiations they are now using force on us to illegally acquired our lands and we said no!".

" Also the company while clearing the bush for the pipe lines damaged our Electrical poles and abandoned it as we speak, we don't have light and have equally damaged Part of our Cottage Hospital building and abandoned it too, as well, we have no drinking water again, because our stream was polluted by this same company by pouring of waste products in it, our roads and houses damaged by the heavy duty vehicles on a daily trucking activities for the company in the last five years". 

"We are completely exhausted as our farm land has remained devastated and environment polluted by the company and we can't continue to live as slaves in our father's land". Elder Mpuruoma.

The Secretary Obokofia Olosho Women Association, Mrs. Jovita Nkiruka John-David  said that the people of Obokofia Olosho are tired and need help from the State government to the issue of gross misconduct, Negligence and reckless abandonment by the Oil Company "Sterling Global" to call them to order and ensure a lasting peace in the community.

"We are not happy because of the suffering of our people from the company. We are neglected no hospital our mother and pregnant women have no place to deliver as a result often died recklessly".

 "We have no electricity and no drinking water but we have Oil Companies in our land, When we staged protests they will use the Army and Police to chase us away with gun arresting and detaining our Youths and children".

 "We,  the women wing of the community has staged protests before now and nothing came out of it that's why we are totally and wholeheartedly in support of any action that will make the Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma to hear our voice and called the company to order".

 "Enough of this neglect and cheat, our children are not employed and we are not treated like the owners of the land were the oil is coming from and our roads and houses badly damaged by heavy duty vehicles". Mrs John David 

Speaking onbehalf of the Youth of Obokofia Olosho Kingdom, Comrade Byrian Ojukwa said that the Youth of Obokofia is totally against the company evil exploration in their land as well as Imo State Government Negligence to the plights of the community as none of the community member has been appointed in the government making the voice of the community unheard causing the major reason for the company neglect and disregard.

Ojukwa pointed out that the Youth of Obokofia Olosho are prepared to get it right now with the company to ensure strict payments of the necessary entitlement for the acquisition of pipe lines and other related matters, carried out an effective MOU and  for the Company to come and do it's Social Responsibility Projects to the community as their landlords.

 While Imo State Government should reconsider the community as part and parcel of the State under Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area and come to their aid.