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Izansa Community asserts full ownership of Odube Creek Oil Field in Warri South-West, Delta State
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Stakeholder urges Matrix Energy Limited to consult community before petroleum operations
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Historical claim traced to founder Apribodo, with legacy of uninterrupted land and creek usage.
A stakeholder of Izansa Community, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State, Mr Donye David has formally declared the community as the exclusive host and rightful owner of the Odube Creek Oil Field, calling on Matrix Energy Limited to engage the community before starting operations.
Mr. Donye, an opinion leader in Izansa, in a statement on Monday, emphasized that Odube Creek Oil Field, which comprises of Odube Creek Location, Odube Creek Revised, and Odube Creek-1 Exploration Location, lies entirely within Izansa-bou land in Izansa community, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
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Making reference to the recent issuance of a Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) for the field to Matrix Energy by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the stakeholder emphasized that the company must consult the community as the rightful host.
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He traced Izansa’s ownership back to the community’s founder, Apribodo, noting that from the time of settlement, the land and creek were used uninterruptedly for fishing, farming, lumbering, and subsistence activities, including the digging of a well.
He strongly advised Matrix Energy to engage with the community regarding health, welfare, and environmental concerns before commencing any activities:
The statement titled “IZANSA COMMUNITY: THE EXCLUSIVE STAKEHOLDER AND HOST TO THE ODUBE CREEK OIL FIELD”, read;
“My attention has been drawn, in my capacity as an Opinion Leader of Izansa Community, to the fact that the Odube Oil Field—comprising Odube Creek Location, Odube Creek Revised, and Odube Creek-1 Exploration Location—situate within or appurtenant to Izansa Community in Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, has been awarded to Matrix Energy Limited under a Petroleum Prospecting Licence issued by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
“This notice serves to formally inform the management of Matrix Energy Limited that Izansa Community is the exclusive stakeholder and rightful host of the Odube Creek Oil Locations/Field.
“The entire Odube land forms part of the Izansa-bou territory of Izansa Community, founded by Apribodo in time immemorial within Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“When Apribodo first cleared and settled on the Odube land and creek area, no other persons occupied or claimed the area.
“He freely accessed and used the land and creek for fishing, farming, lumbering, and other subsistence activities, including the digging of a well, without interference from anyone.
“These acts of uninterrupted ownership and possession exercised by Apribodo over the entire Odube land and creek have since devolved upon his descendants and continue to this day.
“Apribodo named the entire area Odube, an Ijaw word meaning “well,” after the well he dug for drinking water. Both the land and the creek derive their names from this designation.
“Consequently, the oil locations discovered were appropriately named Odube Creek Revised and Locations, respectively.
“In light of the above, as Matrix Energy Limited prepares to commence operations in the Odube Field, the company is strongly advised to consult with Izansa Community.
“Such engagement is essential to address matters relating to the health and welfare of our inhabitants, as well as environmental concerns, prior to the commencement of any petroleum prospecting activities within or adjacent to Izansa Community land.”
