IJAW COMMUNITY ‘PUT UP FOR SALE’? Alleged ₦150m Deal, 30-Year Lease to SEEPCO Sparks Tension in Delta

By Ezekiel Kagbala 

An entire Ijaw community has allegedly committed to a 30-year land lease for ₦150 million. This explosive allegation has created a growing land rights crisis that is threatening the territorial identity, economic survival and cultural heritage of the Kare-Epere Zion Community of Agge Delta, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. 

Residents thought the allegation was unfounded until the SEEPCO moved bulldozers into the community and bulldozed the bush part used for farming. This was done without the community consent. It was perhaps done to state that Kare-Epere Zion ancestral land was leased to Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) for 30 years for a sum of ₦150 million. (Photo attached)

This allegation raises several questions that need answers from the company. Who represented Kare-Epere Zion in the alleged negotiation? Who authorized the alleged commitment of the ancestral land? Who is, or who have been, the beneficiaries of the alleged ₦150 million? Most importantly, how was it possible for an alleged negotiation to take place that threatens the cultural heritage of the Kare-Epere Zion community, without the open and deliberate representation and consent of the community? 

There are also allegations that SEEPCO went to the intervention of third parties, which has caused mistrust and conflict of interest between Ijaw communities.

Community leaders also accused SEEPCO of evasive and unethical engagement methods that negatively impacted Ijaw community livelihoods by inadequate compensation for loss and devaluation of community assets. as it happened in Agge-Bayelsa ( document attached

In response, Kare-Epere residents reportedly issued a firm position, declaring their determination to defend their ancestral inheritance against any unauthorised attempt at displacement. The community's formal response to SEEPCO forms part of the documentary materials accompanying this investigation.

(Response document attached)

An investigation by FocalPoint Reports indicates that the controversy is unfolding against the backdrop of Sterling Oil's expanding corporate interests, including its acquisition-related interests in Agip Energy and Natural Resources (Nigeria) Limited through Apex Global Energy Limited. 

However, corporate expansion does not confer automatic ownership of indigenous territories, nor does it dispense with the legal requirements governing land acquisition, community engagement and the protection of legitimate land rights.

Speaking of the controversy, Kare-Epere Community Chairman, Comrade Moses Tomone, alleged that intermediaries informed residents that their ancestral territory had already been committed to SEEPCO without the authorisation of the community's recognised leadership.

According to him, the situation became considerably more alarming following the reported deployment of tractors and other earth-moving equipment to the community, raising fears that activities on the disputed territory could proceed before the ownership and consent questions were resolved.

Tomone further alleged that the operations resulted in the destruction of portions of community farmland, including cassava crops, mango trees, plantain plantations and palm trees, threatening the livelihoods of residents who depend substantially on agriculture and their ancestral environment.

"We don't even know what SEEPCO intends to build that should warrant such an oppressive approach," he lamented.

 The community leadership maintains that Kare-Epere is an autonomous settlement with ancestral connections to Agge-Bayelsa, having attained autonomous status before the creation of Bayelsa State.

It insists that historical affiliations, linguistic similarities and ancestral relationships with neighbouring communities cannot automatically translate into territorial ownership or confer the authority to dispose of another community's inheritance.

(Document of Kare-Epere land attached)

Despite repeated efforts by FocalPoint Reports to obtain SEEPCO's official position on the allegations, the company had not provided a substantive response before publication. 

The company is therefore urged to clarify the alleged 30-year lease, the reported ₦150 million transaction, the purpose and scope of its proposed development, the identities and authority of those involved in the purported arrangement, and the consents and regulatory approvals upon which it relies. Its right of reply remains open.

The unfolding controversy also reinforces broader concerns raised by the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NDCSF) regarding the conduct of petroleum operators and the need for effective regulatory oversight where corporate activities threaten the legitimate rights, economic interests and environmental security of host communities.

The Delta State Government, Burutu Local Government Council, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and relevant Ijaw traditional institutions must urgently intervene to prevent the dispute from escalating.

An independent and transparent investigation should establish the historical and legal ownership of the disputed territory, authenticate any purported lease agreement, identify the individuals and interests involved in the alleged transaction, determine the destination of the reported ₦150 million and assess the extent of the alleged destruction of community assets.