By Edu Abade
The indigenous communities of Afor Clan in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State are facing an urgent environmental and constitutional crisis due to Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited’s controversial and illegal pipeline project.
Despite community opposition and ongoing legal proceedings, the company has proceeded with construction through residential areas, raising serious concerns about environmental safety, proper consultation, and constitutional violations.
Sterling Oil began exploration activities in the Afor Clan communities five years ago. In April 2025, the company returned to secure permissions for a pipeline running in these locations to its Flow Station in Benekuku, which would affect five communities namely: Okolori-Afor, Ogbetiti-Afor, Umuachi-Afor, Ogbedigbo-Afor and Obetim-Uno.
The pipeline is located near the Health Centre, as well as homes, schools, and it passes through farms. The route through which the pipeline would follow had initially been laid out by the community through a map designed to accommodate the company showing the safer options. The pipeline runs less than 100 metres from the only health centre serving the entire Afor region, thereby depriving communities of their only healthcare access. This poses environmental risks, threatening water sources, biodiversity, and agricultural lands, as well as significant safety concerns due to the potential for explosions, leaks, and contamination.
During a community visit, it was discovered that the community has a history of legal disputes with the company. Multiple protest letters have been submitted to Sterling Oil by the communities, although no response has been received. The communities, however, have secured legal representation through qualified law firms, and a petition to the National Assembly has been submitted through the representative of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Eziechi.
However, the petition is still pending a final hearing at the National Assembly, and Sterling Oil has proceeded with excavation despite ongoing legal proceedings, without addressing the concerns of the communities or responding to legal communications.
The company’s actions appear to violate human rights, with the initial plan being to route the pipeline behind Owoi Creek, an undeveloped and safer area. The company failed to present an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the affected communities and has not engaged in meaningful dialogue with legitimate community representatives. The project violates Sections 43 and 44 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which guarantee citizens’ rights to own property and protect against forceful takeover of landed properties.
President of Afor United, the umbrella organization representing the affected communities Mr. Cletus Ifeadime, noted that “We are not against oil and gas development, but we cannot accept a pipeline running through our homes, schools, and health facilities, Sterling Oil promised to route the pipeline behind Owoi Creek, away from residential areas, but instead they are bulldozing through our towns.”
Also, Secretary of Afor United, Ambassador Chukwuyenum Kind Uzor, who joined in protesting the location of the pipeline, mentioned that “When we protested the route change in April, they brought soldiers to chase us away and continued with their plans. This is not how responsible companies should engage with host communities. The pipeline will traverse our developing residential areas, which will result in irreparable environmental damage and harm to local biodiversity, the legal petition states.
“We demand strict adherence to our position on this matter, including adequate compensation and community development projects as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.”
On his part, a human rights advocate, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, further canvassed a review and audit of Sterling Oil’s environmental compliance, verification of proper consultation procedures and assessment of alternative route feasibility.
“This situation represents a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to environmental protection, constitutional rights, and corporate accountability. Immediate intervention is required to prevent a potential environmental disaster and protect the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens in Delta State. The convergence of environmental risks, constitutional violations, and corporate overreach demands urgent attention from government authorities, regulatory bodies and civil society organizations.”
In his intervention, Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, noted that “We keep seeing this utter disregard of the welfare of our communities and any regard to their environment. Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd has no right whatsoever to place its pipeline close to the community when the community has offered them a safer, better route that doesn’t endanger them. What does Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited want? Is it to bomb the peaceful community? They should stop work immediately and reroute the pipeline.”
The communities require immediate action to be taken, which includes the cessation of all construction activities by Sterling Oil, pending proper consultation and agreements. The re-routing of the pipeline behind Owoi Creek is as initially planned.
There should be a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by accredited agencies, meaningful community consultation with legitimate stakeholders and adequate compensation and community development projects as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
The communities also demanded that the company should adhere to the community-proposed route behind Owoi Creek, as this will ensure minimal impact on residential areas, water sources, and livelihoods. They demand inclusive dialogue with all affected communities, and regular updates and community involvement in decision-making.
On their part, civil society groups recommended that all concerned parties and the government authorities should immediately intervene and halt construction pending a proper environmental assessment, begin an investigation into Sterling Oil’s compliance with Nigerian environmental laws, as well as enforce the constitutional rights and property protections of the Afor communities.
