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By Mandy Willy
The indigenous communities of Afor Clan in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have raised alarm over an ongoing pipeline project by Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd., describing it as illegal, unsafe, and a violation of their constitutional rights.
Despite widespread community opposition and pending legal proceedings, Sterling Oil has proceeded with laying a pipeline through residential areas, farms, and near critical infrastructure, including’s the only health Delta State I can send me your choice to.the Afor region.
Community leaders warn that the development poses grave environmental risks, threatens biodiversity, and endangers lives through possible explosions, leaks, and contamination.
Sterling Oil began exploration activities in Afor five years ago and returned in April 2025 to secure approval for a pipeline route to its Flow Station in Beneku. The project directly affects five communities: Okolori-Afor, Ogbetitit-Afor, Umuachi-Afor, Ogbedigbo-Afor, and Obetim-Uno.
The communities insist that they had earlier proposed a safer alternative route behind Owoi Creek, but the company allegedly abandoned this plan, opting instead to bulldoze through residential zones. Leaders also accuse the company of failing to present a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or engage in meaningful consultations with legitimate representatives.
“This pipeline passes less than 100 metres from our only health centre. We are not against development, but we cannot accept a project that endangers our lives and property,” said Cletus Ifeadime, President of Afor United.
Amb. Chukwuyenum Kind Uzor, Secretary of Afor United, alleged that soldiers were deployed to disperse peaceful protests in April, allowing construction to continue. He stressed that the project violates the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which provides for community consultation, compensation, and development benefits.
Human rights advocate Dr. Otive Igbuzor urged authorities to audit Sterling Oil’s environmental compliance, while Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, described the company’s actions as “utter disregard for community welfare.”
The communities are demanding an immediate halt to construction, a rerouting of the pipeline behind Owoi Creek, an independent EIA, and meaningful consultation with affected stakeholders. They also call for enforcement of Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect citizens’ rights to own property and guard against forceful takeover.
Their petition, filed through Hon. Nnamdi Eziechi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Constituency), is currently pending before the National Assembly. Meanwhile, legal representatives Ngozi Chukura & Co. (Asaba) and E.C. Ofime & Co. (Lagos) are pursuing the case in court.
Civil society groups are urging the federal and state governments, regulatory agencies, and the National Assembly to intervene immediately to prevent what they describe as a looming environmental and constitutional crisis.
