Two communities in Delta State, Nigeria – Sapele Okpe and Abigborodo – are in a heated dispute over the ownership and naming of an oil field, Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) 220. The communities are presenting competing historical, legal, and administrative claims, with Sapele Okpe citing archival records, colonial correspondence, and a 2020 White Paper issued by the Delta State government.
They argue that naming the oil field after Abigborodo is an attempt to confer ownership without legal basis. The dispute has led to concerns about environmental injustice and exclusion from benefits and employment opportunities.
In a similar vein, other communities in Delta State have been experiencing conflicts with oil companies, such as the KEFFES Host Communities Development Trust’s dispute with NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) over security vessel contracts. These conflicts often stem from issues like lack of consultation, environmental concerns, and unmet expectations.
