Residents of Okpai, Beneku, and Umusadege in Delta State recently conducted peaceful demonstrations to protest Oando Energy Resources Limited’s failure to pay the mandatory three percent Operating Expenses (OPEX) development funds for 2024 through 2026. These communities, located within Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West, are calling for immediate action to resolve the recurring payment delays.
Community leaders, including Bernard Ibuaka, Innocent Okpor, and Amuma Victor, voiced their frustration regarding the situation. In a formal communication sent to the company’s management in Port Harcourt, local representatives stated that despite multiple attempts to address the matter, the funds remain outstanding. The delay has severely hindered local infrastructure projects and economic development.
The affected communities highlighted that the withheld payments have stalled vital improvements and denied them the ability to utilize statutory reserve funds. This financial backlog has generated significant tension among locals, who are now demanding that the company comply with the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 and existing NUPRC regulations. They emphasize that the current situation is unsustainable and requires urgent attention to prevent further hardship.
