The Umuokoroka kindred in Ohaji/Egbema Community in Imo State protested what they described as a deceptive oil exploration agreement between the community and Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited.
The Protest occurred last week at the Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited’s operation base in Obiti, in the Ohaji/Egbema community. The bone of contention is an alleged deception and exclusion from the signing of a Freedom To Operate (FTO) agreement and Job Order for oil exploration by the oil company. The protesters claimed the oil company deceived the community into selling their land when they only wanted to lease it.
Chief Celestine Azuoma, a community leader, told newsmen that the oil company deceived them into signing documents falsely, which sold their lands to the company when the community only intended to lease it. He further alleged that some town union executives colluded with the oil company and excluded them from the signing process, thereby denying them access to jobs.
Azuoma concluded that the principal owners of the land want to be present in the full signing process, including the FTO and Job Order.
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David Ogbuanu, an octogenarian community leader, made accusations that some union executives actively sabotaged the agreement, colluding with the oil company.
“The problem is that a few town union executives have ganged up against the people they represent by sabotaging the agreement. We call Governor Hope Uzodimma to intervene and stop the process until all our concerns are resolved.” Ogbuanu said.
Efforts to reach the communications department of the Walter Smith company were abortive, as no response was recorded.
Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, based in Imo State, operates the Ibigwe field, producing 6,000 bopd. Its 5,000 bpd modular refinery, commissioned in 2020, supplies diesel, kerosene, and naphtha.
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