- LG Boss, Host Community Angry
- SEEPCO: We’re A Responsible Firm, No Cause For Alarm
Some of the oil bearing communities hosting an Indian oil firm, the Sterling Petroleum and Fertilisers Limited (SPFL} and its sister companies, including SEEPCO and Sterling Global, are not happy that their environment is either degraded as a result of the activities of the oil firm, or that they are not doing enough to take their youths off the unemployment market.
But the company has said that there is no cause for alarm. In fact, they have spoken of their readiness to do much more for them, even as they have denied the toga of an evil firm ascribed to them by some of the community youths.
The company has been through serious criticism by the public in recent times, with some people describing them as a company with evil intentions against their host community. Others have accused them of being unfair to Nigerians in their employ, and that they give more attention to the Indians who work there.
The sour relationship got to a head in Rivers State, where Sterling Global operates, to the extent that the new Emohua Local Government Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd had to lead a protest to their operational base.
Speaking to TNN on Monday, the chairman said he had to lead the protest so that the youths would not see him as an accomplice. He said he had, since then, remained in constant touch with the company and that discussions were ongoing on how to resolve the conflict between the youths and the company.
Lloyd said the move was to get the company to do heed their request. “Anywhere they are doing business, they don’t give a damn about the people. So, the last time I led the protest against them; weeks after the protest we were still where we are.
“They have done absolutely nothing, but we are still talking. I intend to meet with them this week. They have been here now for about 5–6 years, and nothing has changed,” he said, scoring them 10 per cent in their community relations pedigree.
“It is that bad? That is it. You can imagine, and I do everything. They can even attest to the fact that I helped them to stabilize their operations. Yet, what made me lead the protest was that I feared not to lose the confidence of my people.
“Every time, I am the one telling them, ‘don’t do, we need companies to come, don’t do.’ When it got to the point where their insensitivity was becoming a way of life, I had to. What I did was to exonerate myself from any suspicion.
“Their operations are in Elele-Alimini, in Ogbakiri, in Emohua, and in Ndele. They have traversed the entire 14 wards of the local government, yet you will not find anything. When they gave jobs to the minor ones, they wanted those people to stay at home and they will pay them.
“I said no — they should go in there, work, learn a trade, gain experience, and also see what they are doing there, because you see these Indians in Elele-Alimini, that is where they dump refuse and toxic hazards, like cocoa waste. It is a terrible thing.
TNN asked to know how devastating things had become for the environment. Hear him: “You can’t quantify it — there are all kinds of new problems emerging in the area because of their work.
“They have environmental impact programmes and so on, yet they are insensitive. We will not allow it to lie low. You will see the different steps that we will take.”
TNN also learnt that the company has been abusing the expatriate quota rules as prescribed by extant laws, allegedly bringing in more Indians than the allowed number.
It was also learnt that they do not give their Nigerian employees equal right in the course of their work. For example, it was alleged that no Nigerian is allowed to sign off on documents, without the vetting and endorsement of an Indian, even when a Nigerian is more qualified and more experienced that the Indian counterpart.
Some of the staff who shared their experience with TNN said the Indian were treating them as slaves and would not give them their due respect.
But the company has dismissed all the allegations as untrue. Niyi Bamidele, head of human resource department, Sterling Petrochemicals and Fertilizers Company Ltd said in a mail to TNN in response to various enquiries, said the company could not have abused its expatriate quota.
“SEEPCO strictly complies with the Federal Government’s expatriate quota and industry regulations,” said.
He also responded to the allegation of Nigerian employees not being allowed to sign off on documents, “SEEPCO operates a collaborative governance structure where approvals follow established corporate procedures, not nationality. Many Nigerians hold senior roles with full sign-off authority across departments.”
Speaking on their activities in Emohua, he corroborated the position of the local government chairman, saying “proper dialogue with stakeholders is ongoing to strengthen collaboration. SEEPCO is also working closely with relevant regulatory bodies under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which promotes transparency, host community development, and environmental responsibility. Community members and local authorities can always reach out to the company’s base office in Port Harcourt for direct engagement and support.
On the alleged inhuman treatment of workers in their Okopedi-Ete operationsal base in Akwa Ibom, he said “SEEPCO strongly refutes claims of inhuman working conditions at its Okopedi-Ete site.
“The company upholds fair labour standards in full compliance with Nigerian labour laws and international best practices. All employees are provided with safe, hygienic, and well-equipped work environment, alongside continuous improvements in welfare, training, and support systems across all operational locations.”
He also spoke on last week’s accident involving the company’s truck. “At Sterling Petrochemicals and Fertilisers Limited (SPFL), we have always placed the highest value on safety, responsibility, and care for the communities where we operate.
“Despite these strong commitments, we deeply regret the unfortunate road accident that occurred on October 15, 2025, along the Ete community axis in Akwa Ibom State, which sadly resulted in the loss of two lives, while one person remains in critical condition and another was injured; both are receiving medical attention.
“Early findings and eyewitness reports show that the accident occurred at night, when a motorcycle, trying to overtake another vehicle, collided with a truck managed by one of SPFL’s logistics.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and to the entire Ete community. The company has reached out through community leaders to offer its support and is working closely with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant authorities to ensure a full and transparent investigation.
“In line with the Compensation Act, we have promptly reported the incident to the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and the necessary statutory benefits will be provided to the affected families along with company’s necessary support to the families Affected by Ete Incident.
“Our commitment to maintaining safe and sustainable operations runs deep, guiding everything we do. Long before this tragic event, we had put in place several road safety initiatives across our operational routes to prevent accidents and to further strengthen it, the company is taking the following measures to avoid any such incidents in future.
“We are also partnering with the FRSC to strengthen road safety monitoring and increase personnel presence in critical zones.
“As part of our continuous commitment to safety and innovation, we have introduced several technology-driven platforms, including a real-time digital incident reporting system, a digital Unsafe Act and Unsafe Condition (UAUC) reporting tool, Safety Observation Reporting Tracking (SORT), and a streamlined e-Permit to Work (PTW) system. These platforms are designed to enhance transparency, strengthen compliance, and ensure prompt responsiveness across our operations.
“We take every concern about safety and welfare as a priority. Our drivers and field operators undergo regular training and are held to strict safety protocols. We are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the recent accident and will take all necessary actions to prevent future occurrences.
“At SPFL, we also remain committed to fairness, transparency, and respect in our workplace. We strongly deny recent claims suggesting unfair labour practices or slavery. We take pride in providing a respectful work environment, competitive compensation, and full compliance with all labour laws and regulations.
“Recently, we were honoured with an Excellence Award by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State, in recognition of our exceptional contributions to community development and humanitarian services. The award, presented by Correspondents Chapel, commended our initiative-taking engagement with host communities and our unwavering commitment to building sustainable relationships.
“We remain deeply committed to safety and sustainable community development. We will continue to build and further strengthen our partnerships with communities to contribute positively to the well-being of our workers and host communities. SPFL ensures support to families affected by Ete Incident.”
