Scores of youth in the Ojobo federated communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State and Ogbotobo in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa state and neighbouring area in the Niger Delta region, South-South states, are reportedly currently being mobilised for a mass protest and shutting down of four oil flow stations.
The stations according to sources are Benisede, Ogbotobo, Opukusu and Tunu flow stations which are operated by Shell.
They warned on carrying out their threat except the federal government takes necessary measures towards compelling SPDC to pay surface rents to the affected communities.
Sources told New Telegraph on Tuesday that the Niger Deltans are aggrieved over alleged “Non-payment of surface rents” by multinational oil company, Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC).
A statement jointly signed by Atimapre Tesufa, Youth President of Ojobo federated communities, Julius Pabor and Laye Kalu, both coordinators of the the youths explained that they were taking their destiny in their hands to avoid a repeat of the fate that befell Oloibiri, a community in Bayelsa state where oil was first discovered in Nigeria.
It said: “SPDC’s stance is totally inimical to the attainment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s objective of increasing oil production to 2.6million barrels per day. SPDC conduct is capable of provoking unwarranted disruptions of production in and around our client’s federated communities housing SPDC’s installations and properties.
“There is a limit to which we can rein in the youths, hence this passionate plea to the Hon. Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), if the youths should carry out their threats, body should be held responsible for whatever actions. We will close down the flow stations because Shell has taken us for granted for too long, since 1972. We are challenging Shell to point to a single development or anything they had done for the people of Ojobo, Ogbotobo or neighboring communities in the 52 years of their operations in our land that has destroyed all our alternative sources of our livelihood.
“For all portions of Ojobo federated communities land measuring approximately 1, 500 hectares and 579.28 hectares at Beniseide and Oil Fields in which Shell operates her OML36 and OML oil wells among other facilities, Shell had only paid nine shillings, less than one dollar at the time it commenced operations and now claimed it is reasonable and adequate for the people. What Shell promised our fathers 52 years ago are the same things we are still pleading with Shell to provide for the communities until today. The laws of Nigeria concerning land rent must be respected. Otherwise, our flow stations henceforth won’t form part of Shell’s assets. Enough is enough. SPDC’s deployment of double standards and taking advantage of the locals must stop now.”
However, a in a letter, by the Corporate Lands Manager, Corporate Relations Nigeria, SPDC, Trevor Akpomughe said Shell had made a one-time all-inclusive compensation for the loss of use of surface and other rights for the various parcels of land in question.
The letter was dated November, 17, 2023 referenced, SPDC-2023-11-00000069.
It said: “Consequent to the said payment, the land ceased to attract any further compensation from SPDC. SPDC therefore, does not owe your client or any person any form of compensation or rent in respect of the said parcels of land and cannot accede to your demand.”