Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The host communities of Oil Mining Lease, OML25 have insisted that Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, must sign a comprehensive agreement with Belemaoil and the communities before re-entering to commence oil exploration and production activities in the area.
Recall that on September 17th 2019, the Federal Government intervened to resolve the over 34-month shutdown of OML25 by the host communities, who had protested against neglect and underdevelopment by SPDC.
The intervention, led by then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, resulted in the removal of traditional injunctions at the Belema Flow Station and Gas Plant, and the hoisting of flags to usher in a new beginning.
Although the communities quit picketing Shell’s flow station in 2019, operations have yet to resume in OML25 till date, resulting in the loss of 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day; a significant economic loss for the federal government, the state government, and the local communities.
During a meeting held in Port Harcourt on Friday, leaders of OML25 communities, comprising Kula, Ofoin-ama, Ngeje, Belema, and their satellite communities, reiterated their demands for community development, employment opportunities, and infrastructure provision.
The meeting, which was attended by representatives of SPDC, NNPCL, NUPRC and other regulatory authorities, and the Rivers State government, ended with a resolution that SPDC must sign the purchase order agreement with Belemaoil before re-entering the facility.
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, spokesperson for the OML 25 communities and Kula Kingdom, briefing newsmen after the meeting, stated that the communities are willing to support SPDC’s operations, but only if the company fulfills its obligations.
Sara-Igbe emphasized that the agreement must include specific provisions for community development, employment empowerment, etc for the host communities.
“We are not responsible for the delay in the reopening of OML25. We are not troublemakers, but we will not accept anything less than what is due to us. We want SPDC to sign the purchase order agreement with Belemaoil, which includes provisions for community development, employment, and infrastructure.
“Community development, including human resources, training, and employment. Infrastructure development, including roads, hospitals, and facilities. Scholarship programs for community members. Empowerment programs for women and youths. Contracts for community members to provide services and support for SPDC’s operations.”
The communities also emphasized that any company interested in acquiring OML 25 must take on the liabilities associated with the asset.
“We will not accept any company that wants to acquire OML 25 without taking on the liabilities. We want any company that comes in to take responsibility for the mess that SPDC has created.”
Chief Sara-Igbe emphasized that the communities are ready to support SPDC’s operations, but only if the company fulfills its obligations.
“We are peace-loving people, and we are willing to support SPDC’s operations. But we will not accept anything less than what is due to us. We want SPDC to sign the agreement with Belemaoil, and we want them to fulfill their obligations to our communities.”
The communities also called on the regulatory authority, NIUMS to ensure that SPDC fulfills its obligations to the communities.
“We want the regulatory authority to ensure that SPDC fulfills its obligations to our communities. We want them to monitor SPDC’s activities and ensure that they comply with the agreement.
“We will be monitoring SPDC’s activities closely, and we will take action if they fail to fulfill their obligations. We want SPDC to know that we are serious about our demands, and we will not back down.”
