Bayelsa Community Protests Killing of  Youth   by Military Engaged by Conoil

Olusegun Samuel

Aggrieved indigenes of Sangana community  in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State weekend staged a protest against the Conoil Company over inability to perform their corporate social responsibility and complicity in the military killing of a youth in the area.

The angry elders, youths, and women, dressed in black and placards with inscriptions “We are tired of Conoil oppression”, “stop killing us, stop the shooting,”  “Why kill an innocent youth,” “Ikiowori Benson is dead”; why now, 25 years of operation in Sangana and nothing to amount for, “demanded the operators of the oil company to come and address the lingering issues with stakeholders of the area or vacate the area.

The protest, which is coming days after an indigene of the community was reportedly shot dead by the military attached to the oil facility, while several injured with two others declared missing.

Speaking with newsmen, the immediate past IYC Chairman, Sangana clan, Otonbara Sigimo, said they were all out to express their anger over the ill treatment by Conoil multi-national company, adding that the negligence by the company can’t be overlooked anymore.

He stated that several years after the signing of series of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)s, owner and management of the Conoil have failed to abide by any provisions agreed upon, noting that they have no option than to let them go.

“How can they deprive our people  from the benefits we are suppose to get? and they even killed a youth who was not armed.

“We are not happy and we have endured for so long, few days ago we went on a peaceful protest and the result was the shooting of our brother. What was his sin, or what is our sin? We just went to have a peaceful discussion but rather they brought military men to kill us. They must leave our territory because they don’t mean well.

In his remark, the Youth President of Sangana community, Ayah Ambrose, said Conoil has been dealing in their  land and  they  don’t benefit anything.

“They deal with us as slaves. This current issue that caused the death of our brother was so needless, because we were not holding anything appearing as weapon but they rather shot at us,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, IYC central Zone, Clever Inodu, who expressed solidarity with the protesting Sangana indigenes, condemned the alleged use of the military by the oil company against the aggrieved indigenes

He said: “The act is equivalent to a military invasions in our region and it is unacceptable. We have been engaging the security agencies in the state whose responsibility is to protect the people and not kill them but reserve has always been the case.”

“If the people are coming to protest for their legitimate right, what they should do is to protect them and ensure it is a peaceful demonstration with their support. The people were there to just register their displeasure because they were angry.

“You are in a place exploring their land and nothing to show for, is that not wickedness? And when they people want to tell you their position, the company use military against them and kill them. This negligence from oil companies within out territories has to stop.

“We have resolved to follow this matter to the letter, within the next 48 hrs Conoil must come and discuss or they leave Sangana. We will mobilise the people to the platform for another peaceful protest.

The Amanayabo of Moko Ama Sangana Kingdom, HRH Moses Kenibara, alao expressed anger that the community has been hosting Conoil for over  25 years and nothing to show for it.

He said: “They have rather impoverished the community. Before they started operation, there was no impact assessment of the area. The community has been talking to them but they blatantly refused. They write MOUs with community but never implemented it. This is not acceptable because it isn’t the standard of operation and we are aggrieved.

“Enough of the oppression, intimidation, and all the ill treatment from this company. They renage on their own part of the agreements and still kill innocent people of the community, and some missing while some still critically injured in the hospital. We demand that Conoil multi-nationals company should come and address all out standing issues amicably or vacate our land.

“The area is our fishing settlement and we want to continue with our trade, since they came out community has depleted, and impoverished. No single contractor from Sangana, no employment for the community. Enough is enough.”

In his brief, Spokesperson of INC, Barr. Barry Ibarakumo, said: “What just happened is unacceptable and we condemn it in its entirety. The relevant authorities should swing into action because our youths have given ultimatum and it must be honoured. We have fought very hard to keep peace in our community and we want fold our hands to see Conoil disrupt the peace. The matter must be address within this time.