Operations at Sterling Global’s dredging site in Obienga, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, were brought to a halt on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, following a mass protest by residents of five fishing settlements who accused the company of neglect and violation of a General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
The protesting communities — Otuoyo, Oboloiluk, Utoon Obolo 1, Utoon Obolo 2, and one other — comprised men, women, youths, and children, who barricaded the company’s site demanding a halt to all activities until their grievances were addressed.
According to reports obtained by @ConnectAndoni, the protest followed multiple failed attempts by the communities to engage the company through formal letters and dialogue, with no positive response from Sterling Global.
At the heart of the protest was the community’s claim that Sterling Global’s dredging activities in the only fishing river in the area had severely impacted their livelihood. Protesters alleged that the company’s operations had disrupted fishing activities, damaged nets, and polluted the river, making it impossible for them to sustain their primary source of income.
“The company told us to remove our nets if we don’t want them destroyed — without compensation or any alternative means of survival,” one of the protesters told @ConnectAndoni. “That is not only insensitive but a complete breach of our agreement.”
The communities accused Sterling Global of violating the terms of the initial GMoU, which they said stipulated the employment of 100 percent of semi-skilled and 40 percent of skilled workers from the host communities. “They have refused to honour the terms. That’s why we shut down their operations,” the protester added.
The protest, which was planned to last a week, prompted a swift response from the company on the first day. Sterling Global’s base manager, along with an Indian national identified as Sam Je, met with the community representatives to negotiate a truce.
By 6 p.m. Wednesday, an agreement was reached, and the protest was suspended. According to sources, Sterling Global is expected to send higher-level representatives by Monday, May 19, to formally sign and begin implementation of the GMoU with the community’s leadership, including the Community Liaison Officer, Mr. Bright Center.
“If the company fails to follow through,” a community member warned, “the protest will resume immediately.”
The development marks yet another case in the Niger Delta where oil and gas-related operations are clashing with local communities over environmental degradation and unmet obligations.
1 Comment
This is the same thing we the people of omuma in umudike umuogba River state of Nigeria the memorandum of understanding was sin appsent the family of Umuwaji umuamadi Vilag in umudike community wich we didn’t give out eny sodarity support agen the (let HRH Dr Larry Ojukwu )is my father they did not pay eny cortesty visit to the palace no matter what it’s supposed to be done. Still we the community asept the company to come in Oppone dat all what day agree to do for the community has not been done both the unskilled workers and the skilled workers non has been given Out, (no p p E ) sefty for one month now work has been going on, no Payment to the community workers and thay only give opporchunity of 6 workers (3 Labor 3 security )still no payment no (ppE, personal paminent protection safety) in the working grand no feeding money, at all no herf to stat work no hospital no school scolaship all they are after is laying down paips at people’s land the widowers nothing has been given out to them so i the secretary of the family involved the 50 Mitterwas Piplinn crossing community Umuwaji in umuamadi in umudike umuogba omuma L G A Rivers state the Princ of umudike community i am saying that I have not been given appointment my name is Princ promise Ojukwu chinaedu the CEO (ominis power spiritual healing home Or i would like to use this opportunity to tell the sterling government to call the clo 50 miterwas Piplinn crossing community in omuma umudike umuogba River state to ridaret the power of attorney to the palace of HRH Eze Dr Larry Ojukwu chinaedu in the hand of Princ promise Ojukwu chinaedu for reconciliation of the ndemity sing or let the payment to the community workers be made.to avoid conflict over the vanderlization in awer land by sterling global oil and gas company this massage is coming from the elders of the community and the umudike youth group and the widows wemen in the community and the other of awer Relatives. And the CDC of the two aftcteld family Umuwaji and umuwele, that make up the village umuamadi in umudike community so please i hereby call sterling oil and gas company to oder to sopplay atlist 90 pasent Service to the Piplinn affected community in umudike.