The Bayelsa State Government on Tuesday waded into the crisis in Onuebum community in Ogbia Local Government Area, prompting the shutdown of the operations of Sterling Exploration Ltd (SEL) by Ijaw youths over alleged violations of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and non-compliance with key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The protest, tagged “Operation Stop Work,” drew the participation from the national leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, led by its Director of Mobilisation and Chairman of the Action Committee, Comrade Ari Fekorigha.

The Chairman of the Onuebum Oil & Gas Committee, Comrade John Bailiff Egapekpar; the Community Development Committee Chairman, Comrade Kotor Jonathan; and the youth leader, Engr. Odumomusi Obaguo, who led the protest, accused SEL of operating in the community without conducting an EIA, violating extant environmental and petroleum laws, informally acquiring operational sites and failing to honour an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the host community.

The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “SEL, effect Section 326 of the PIA”, “SEL, stop violating the EIA and PIA” and “SEL, implement Section 235 of the PIA”, called on the state government to intervene.

They vowed that exploration activities would remain suspended until the company addresses their demands, which have lingered for over four years.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Fekorigha expressed disappointment over SEL’s alleged refusal to implement the agreement reached with the Onuebum community.

“The unresolved disagreement between SEL and Onuebum community has lingered for over four years – it is deeply worrisome. The IYC engaged SEL for a peaceful resolution, but the company failed to respond,” he said.

Tension was eased following swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu; the office of the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; and phone calls from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Representing the Commissioner of Police at the protest site, Mrs Stella Izevbigie, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otuokpoti Police Division, informed the protesters that the Deputy Governor had slated a high-level negotiation meeting for 26 November 2025 at Government House, Yenagoa.

The meeting Is expected to bring together SEL’s management, IYC leadership and representatives of the Onuebum community.

Responding to the government’s assurances, Comrade Ari Fekorigha announced that the “stop-work” action would be temporarily suspended to allow room for negotiations.

“We are committed to dialogue, but let it be clear: the protest will resume immediately if SEL fails to honour the demands of the host community,” he warned.

Also speaking, Egapekpar reiterated that SEL had allegedly failed to conduct an EIA as mandated by law and comply with the PIA and related regulations. (The Sun)