Residents of Omoku Clan in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, have filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Oando PLC, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for allegedly failing to comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The plaintiffs, members of the Omoku Communities Youth Leaders Forum (OCYLF), including Ekeukwu Pureheart, Famous Elemchukwu Clinton, Daniel Woko, Ugochukwu Adah, Stanley Ohia, and Victor Eke, claim that the oil companies have neglected their legal obligation to directly engage with host communities as required by the PIA.
Filed under suit number FHC/PH/CS/:::/2025, the case argues that for decades, these companies have operated in Omoku without formally recognizing the affected communities. The plaintiffs contend that this has deprived residents of rightful benefits, including infrastructure projects and proper community engagement.
This latest lawsuit follows an earlier case, FHC/PH/CS/281/2024, in which the communities accused the oil companies of environmental degradation and long-standing neglect. The OCYLF asserts that both legal actions stem from the companies’ refusal to comply with government directives and uphold community rights under the PIA.
The communities are demanding:
Recognition of each Omoku Cluster community as a distinct host community under the PIA.
Direct engagement between the companies and local leaders, bypassing intermediaries.
Full implementation of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), ensuring proper representation in management and advisory committees, along with adequate funding for community development projects.
Speaking on behalf of OCYLF, Coordinator-General Ekeukwu Pureheart expressed the community’s frustration:
“For over five decades, our land has been exploited while we suffer. The PIA was meant to bring change, yet Oando, NNPCL, and Agip act as if the law doesn’t apply to them. We are in court to fight for justice.”
Obosi community representative, Monday Eluozo, emphasized their firm stance:
“We are not begging for favors; we are demanding our rights. The PIA was enacted to protect host communities, but oil companies are still ignoring it. We refuse to be marginalized any longer.”
As legal proceedings unfold, youth leaders and affected community members are urging the Federal Government and NUPRC to enforce compliance with the PIA, ensuring that host communities receive their due entitlements.
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