Two years after dramatic headlines accused Geo-Seismic Survey Limited, a contractor working for Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), of devastating communities in Akwa Ibom State and walking away without compensation, an independent investigation provides a more measured account. While concerns remain—particularly around the slow pace of compensation—the sweeping claims of outright abandonment and widespread environmental destruction do not hold up when tested against fieldwork, community testimonies, expert assessments, and regulatory records.

Initial reports suggested that seismic blasting in 2023 left residents of seventeen Local Government Areas (LGAs) with cracked homes, contaminated boreholes, ruined farmlands, and no hope of redress. Voices of widows, farmers, and clergy added weight to a picture of neglect. Yet, as this inquiry reveals, those grievances—though genuine reflections of frustration—tell only part of the story. Much of the tension stems from communication lapses, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and, at times, political amplification, rather than outright corporate abandonment.

Across visits to Etinan, Mkpat Enin, Oruk Anam, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot Abasi, interviews with over 40 respondents revealed a mixed but instructive reality. Some residents emphasized that company officials carried out consultations and documented damage, while others—still awaiting payment—interpreted the delays as abandonment. This divergence helps explain why conflicting narratives circulate.

In Etinan, Chief Etim Monday, Village Head of Ayam Efa, acknowledged that crops were damaged but confirmed direct engagement. “They came here and explained their work. I personally witnessed one of the blasting exercises. They took records of those who lost crops. What we await is payment. I would not call it abandonment,” he said.

At Ikot Ekpe in Mkpat Enin, traditional ruler Chief (Dr.) Bassey Udo added that local youths benefited from temporary employment. “Over 120 young men from our clan worked as guides, drivers, and labourers during the survey. Many used the wages to support their families. The issue is not abandonment but delayed compensation.”

Women leaders also offered perspective. Mrs. Ekaette Ekanem, leader of Nkana Women’s Cooperative, explained that while borehole issues were worrying, they predated seismic activity. “The company still meets with us from time to time. They have not disappeared, though we are waiting for compensation.”

Farmers, fishermen, and clergy shared similar stories—acknowledging damage, confirming company visits, but stressing delays. A cassava farmer in Eastern Obolo, a fish farmer in Oruk Anam, and a fisherman in Onna all pointed to ongoing dialogue, not total neglect.

Expert assessments help clarify the situation. Hydrogeologists caution against attributing all borehole discoloration to seismic activity, noting shallow aquifers and seasonal sediment inflows. Environmental scientists emphasize that vibrations from seismic surveys rarely cause major structural damage, especially to well-built houses. Public health consultants add that typhoid and related waterborne illnesses often stem from sanitation challenges rather than blasting.

Regulatory agencies confirm that the operations followed due process, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Environment. Officials emphasize that frameworks exist to address verified damages, though compensation often moves slowly due to legal and bureaucratic requirements under the Land Use Act and Petroleum Industry Act.

SEEPCO’s recent statement underscores continued engagement. “Communities have not at any point been abandoned,” spokesperson Mohammed Sule noted in August 2025, emphasizing that compensation is ongoing and guided by regulatory frameworks. Community Liaison Officers echo this, pointing to weekly meetings with local leaders and continuous claim processing.

Beyond compensation, SEEPCO has deepened its host community relations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Sensitization campaigns have been conducted across OML-13 host communities to educate residents on their rights and opportunities under the Act. In line with PIA provisions, the company has supported the appointment of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) members to ensure communities play a direct role in managing development initiatives.

In 2025, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) granted approval for the establishment of the OML-13 HCDT. This milestone was followed by the formal constitution and inauguration of the Trust, marking a significant step toward structured, community-led development. For many residents, the HCDT represents a practical mechanism for addressing grievances and investing in sustainable projects, farmland restoration, borehole rehabilitation, and skill-building programs—that go beyond temporary compensation.

Why then did abandonment narratives spread so strongly? Analysts suggest that political actors and community elites, seeking leverage, amplified frustrations. While grievances are valid, the narratives gained momentum partly through politicization and incomplete media reporting.

Available data paints a different picture: over 3,200 hectares of farmland enumerated for compensation, more than 1,500 households with verified claims, and over 600 youths engaged in temporary jobs. These figures suggest ongoing—if slow—engagement rather than total neglect.

As Rev. Godwin Okon Akpan, one early critic, later admitted: “We are still waiting, but I cannot say they ran away. The problem is delay.”

Experts agree that the path forward requires transparency, faster compensation, and consistent dialogue. As environmental policy scholar Dr. Emmanuel Ibanga noted: “The issue is not abandonment but the need for clearer communication and quicker processes. Trust can only be rebuilt when stakeholders work together with openness.”

In conclusion, grievances remain, but evidence does not support the sweeping claim of abandonment. Instead, what emerges is a story of contested perceptions, process delays, and amplified frustrations. The challenge now is not blame but solutions—grounded in fact, fairness, and collaboration.

In fact, SEEPCO is among the few oil producing companies out of more than 70 successful bidders that signed PSCs during Nigeria’s 2005 licensing round to achieve first oil within a record time of just two years. Its journey, though marked by challenges across difficult terrains, reflects resilience, perseverance, and commitment. Unlike some international oil companies that wound up operations midway, SEEPCO today stands proudly as one of the fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies in Africa—a position built not by abandonment but by engagement and resilience with its host communities with pride.

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Federal Government has settled the dispute between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Both parties reached an amicable resolution on all outstanding matters, following collaborative engagements facilitated by the Federal Government. According to a source in the ministry, there were multiple rounds of meetings since the beginning of the year under the supervision of government authorities, leading to the agreement, which reflects the shared commitment to promote industrial harmony, supporting national production goals and enhancing the overall wellbeing of personnel within the oil and gas sector.

The agreement also clearly indicates direction to both parties under adherence to federal laws and industry regulations. The agreement underscores SEEPCO’s dedication to upholding regulatory compliance, fostering capacity development for Nigerian professionals and sustaining open dialogue with stakeholders.

Both parties have reaffirmed their commitment to internal resolution of matters and proactive engagement in addressing future issues.

Sterling Oil expressed appreciation to PENGASSAN leadership, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and NNPC Limited, for their vital roles in facilitating a fair agreement.

This resolution, the company said in a statement, marked a positive step toward strengthening trust and cooperation across the industry. 

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SEEPCO, one of Africa’s fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies, commemorated the occasion with a week-long series of activities under the theme “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work.” The celebrations, which concluded on April 26, 2025, ahead of the global observance on April 28, emphasized the evolving role of technology and digital solutions in enhancing workplace safety.

Throughout the week, employees across SEEPCO’s operational locations actively participated in various activities, including a health walk, a themed lecture on AI in workplace safety, leadership demonstrations, safety engagement sessions, and health talks promoting physical wellbeing and raising awareness about site-specific health challenges.

Aligned with its Health, Safety, Environment, and Fire (HSEF) objectives, SEEPCO’s safety teams had previously through the year 2024 conducted impactful campaigns, covering construction work safety, working at heights, fire drills, confined space entry protocols, alcohol testing for accident prevention, and seasonal campaigns such as protection against lightning strikes.

On the concluding day of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, SEEPCO also emphasized on its way forward with a comprehensive digital transformation of its health and safety systems to drive operational excellence and proactive risk management. In the coming weeks, the company will roll out additional technology-driven platforms, including a real-time digital incident reporting system, a digital Unsafe Act and Unsafe Condition (UAUC) reporting tool, and a streamlined e-Permit to Work (PTW) system, all designed to enhance transparency, compliance, and responsiveness.

This transformation will be achieved through advanced HSEF (Health, Safety, Environment, and Fire) data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive monitoring, strengthening SEEPCO’s ability to anticipate and prevent incidents while empowering employees to play an active role in building a safer, smarter workplace. These initiatives are not just about automation; they are about empowerment, giving every employee the tools to make better decisions, prevent harm, and continuously improve.

Reinforcing its focus on professional development, SEEPCO provided specialized safety training through internationally accredited agencies. Notably, a National Training Course on Nucleonic Gauging Equipment, Well Logging, Waste Management, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) was conducted at the National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research (NIRPR), University of Ibadan, certifying employees as Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs).

Further advancing its environmental sustainability agenda, SEEPCO organized Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Awareness Training for around 50 employees, building internal capacity for effective GHG management and compliance with emerging environmental regulations.

As part of its commitment to emergency preparedness, SEEPCO collaborated with the Lagos State Fire Service for a joint emergency drill, strengthening inter-agency coordination and ensuring robust readiness for critical situations.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, SEEPCO’s spokesperson emphasized:

“At SEEPCO, safety is not just a priority; it is our value. We are embracing innovation and digitalization to revolutionize our approach to health and safety. Our commitment is unwavering—to protect lives, enhance wellbeing, and build a resilient workforce for the future.”

Since its establishment in 2003, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has embedded safety into the core of its operations across Nigeria. The company continues to drive operational excellence while contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and championing a future where safety, technology, and sustainability are deeply intertwined.

Remarkably, SEEPCO is one of the few producing companies out of 70+ successful bidders that signed the PSC in Nigeria during the 2005 bid to remarkably achieved its first oil within two years of record time. SEEPCO’s journey has been full of challenges working in the tough terrains of exploration and productions in the allotted Oil Mining Licenses and blocks, with this perseverance and consistency in standing tall against all odds, and unlike some international oil companies winding up its operations mid-way, Sterling oil today is amongst the fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies of Africa.

Remarkably, SEEPCO is among the few producing companies out of more than 70 successful bidders that signed PSCs’ during Nigeria’s 2005 licensing round to achieve first oil within a record time of just two years. SEEPCO’s journey has been marked by numerous challenges, operating in the tough terrains of its allotted Oil Mining Licenses and blocks. However, through perseverance and consistent commitment, the company has stood resilient against all odds. Unlike some international oil companies that wound up operations midway, SEEPCO today stands proudly as one of the fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies in Africa.

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Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), one of Africa’s fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies, has taken a meaningful step in expanding its healthcare outreach by launching the SEEPCO Blood Donor Club. This initiative reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to employee welfare and community health.

Since its inception, SEEPCO has prioritized the provision of comprehensive healthcare facilities and emergency support across its operational locations in Nigeria. In line with this commitment, the company has also extended its efforts to host communities through regular medical outreach programs. These initiatives provide free consultations, medications, and basic laboratory testing for common ailments such as malaria, typhoid, cough, hypertension, skin infections, and more, across various local government areas.

Furthering this culture of care, SEEPCO employees have come together to establish the Blood Donor Club. The club aims to serve as a reliable and structured platform for the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC) and other health organizations to access voluntary blood donations during critical emergencies.

The initiative complements the ongoing work of the V Care for Development Foundation (VCDF), a non-profit organization supported by SEEPCO. VCDF has been working in partnership with LSBTC, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other health institutions to organize blood donation campaigns that address severe blood shortages, support mothers in childbirth, accident victims, and sick children in need of life-saving transfusions.

Since 2022, VCDF and LSBTC have jointly conducted annual blood donation drives involving SEEPCO volunteers. These efforts have resulted in the contribution of over 853 pints of blood to the Lagos State blood bank—benefiting more than 2,000 patients and their families. This milestone underscores both organizations’ dedication to saving lives and fostering a culture of voluntary blood donation in Nigeria.

At a visit today, Thursday, 24th April, 2025 to the LSBTC office at Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos, Dr. B. I. Osikomaiya, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee, praised SEEPCO’s initiative.

She remarked, “The creation of a structured donor club will provide a sustainable and dependable platform for emergency blood mobilization. We are particularly pleased to know about this voluntary donor club comprising SEEPCO employees. This is a laudable initiative that aligns perfectly with our goal of ensuring a safe, sufficient, and readily available blood supply across Lagos State.”

Mrs. Olayinka Animashaun, Head of the Donor Recruitment Unit at LSBTC, also commended SEEPCO and VCDF for their continued support. She encouraged the organization of biannual blood donation drives, citing their significant impact on improving public health outcomes.

Dr. Chris Offokansi, Chief General Manager, Human Resources and Industrial Relations at SEEPCO, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to healthcare advancement.

“Through this initiative, Sterling Oil continues to reaffirm its commitment to support public health and life-saving efforts across Nigeria. The Blood Donor Club will actively promote voluntary blood donation among employees, raise awareness, and foster a culture of giving. Sterling Oil remains dedicated to making a meaningful and lasting impact in the communities we serve,” he stated.

With this new initiative, SEEPCO not only reinforces its corporate social responsibility but also inspires a broader movement towards collective action in healthcare and community support.

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