Obolo council halts protest against Sterling Global

‎By Emmanuel Ikpe

The Eastern Obolo Local Government Council has defended its decision to stop a planned protest against Sterling Global, an oil company operating in the area, stating that the move was necessary to preserve peace, security, and ongoing development.

In a statement released on Friday by the Secretary of Council, Tamuno Okworo Timothy, the council addressed social media reports regarding the protest led by Mr. Friday Peter George and Sylvanus Frank.

According to the council, Executive Chairman Rt. Hon. Samuel Samuel Nteogwuijah had previously met with youth leaders and members of the Obolo Liberation Movement on March 18, 2026.

During that meeting, stakeholders reportedly agreed to suspend the demonstration in favor of a roundtable dialogue involving traditional rulers, community leaders, and companies, including Sterling Global, Sudmeha Energy, and Ibom Developers.

The council expressed regret that some organizers allegedly bypassed this agreement. Citing security reports that suggested the potential involvement of “external elements” and threats to property, the administration maintained that it could not allow actions that might endanger residents.

The statement also warned that disrupting company activities could jeopardize funding for PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) Trust Committees, which are currently funding local development projects.

This tension in Eastern Obolo highlights the delicate implementation phase of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in Akwa Ibom State.

The council’s specific mention of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), funded by 3% of oil companies’ operating expenses, underscores a shift in how community grievances are now managed.

Under the PIA, prolonged disruptions to operations can lead to a deduction from these community funds to cover repair costs or lost production, effectively making the community financially liable for local unrest.

By emphasizing that indigenes are already managing these PIA committees, the local government is attempting to frame the protest not just as a threat to the oil company but as a direct threat to the community’s own pocketbook.

This “roundtable” strategy is increasingly becoming the preferred mediation model in the Niger Delta to ensure that the flow of developmental funds from the energy sector remains uninterrupted while addressing the legitimate environmental and socio-economic concerns of the Obolo people.