The Ugu Youths for Developmental Change (UYDC) has petitioned the federal government, calling for an urgent probe into what it said is “ongoing oil boundary controversy” involving the Orogho community in Ugu region of Edo state.
The group, at a press briefing in Benin City on Friday, said the dispute revolves around the ownership and host community status of several oil wells currently operated by Seplat Energy.
The group’s coordinator, Com. Monday Osabueki-Omazenoghadue Osemwenkhae, said the controversy dates back to 2012 when assets of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) were transferred to Seplat.
He said prior to the transfer, Shell had recognised the Orogho community as host to Wells 1 to 4, discovered in 1994 within its territory.
He said controversy started when Seplat allegedly attempted to reassign Well 4 to neighbouring communities in Delta state, a move resisted by Orogho indigenes, adding that a boundary verification exercise conducted by the Edo State Ministry of Lands and Survey confirmed that the disputed well lies over 2.5 kilometres within Orogho land.
“Despite this finding, additional wells discovered within the same axis have been attributed to neighbouring communities, thereby excluding Orogho from recognition and benefits,” he alleged.
The group demanded federal government’s intervention and called on the National Boundary Commission to conduct an independent investigation and provide a definitive resolution to the dispute.
It also urged the Edo state government to clarify the boundary status of Orogho community and questioned why operations within Edo territory allegedly prioritise communities outside the state.
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