Nigeria’s Oil Production Threatened Again as Irate Ijaw Youths Shut Down OML 2005

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Nigeria daily oil production was again threatened yesterday after angry youths from the Anyama Clan of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) and Onuebum community of Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state shut down the operation of OPL 2005 located in the community.

The youths in their numbers said the owner of the project, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) allegedly showed disregard to the state government’s directives on resumed negotiations with host communities and compliance with local, state and federal laws, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The youths numbering over 100 arrived the oil platform at about 9.30am and shut down the operations after sacking the workers on site.

They were also supported by Onuebum youths led by the Chairman and Secretary of the Onuebum Oil and Gas Task Force, Mr. John Egapekpar and Ebitimi Egbenpere respectively

The youths, chanting war songs and displaying placards demanded implementation of section 236 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for Onuebum community.

The IYC Chairman (Ayama Clan), Samson Lucky  said: “We are in Onuebum to counter the anomalies of the Sterling global in the areas of the non-conduct of EIA, the disrespect to the Onuebum community and disregard for extant laws.

“We call on the company to resume discussion with the community and respect the relevant laws. The company has also rebuffed and shunned efforts by the IYC to assist in the resolution of the contentious issues,” the IYC said.

Speaking to newsmen, the traditional heads of the Onuebum community led by the paramount ruler, HRH Obanema Kine Kobolota Osain Ogo XVI and his Deputy,  John Edede, Opalama XIII confirmed that the IYC and the other youths of the community, the state government should call SEEPCO to order.

Osain, while speaking on the development, said the community had been on the path of peace and prevailed on the youths to avoid acts that will throw the community into violence.

“When they invaded our ancestral land and desecrated our forest and burial sites, we retrained the youths against acts that will instigate quarrel. The company and its agents are behaving as if they are above the laws.

“What we are asking is for the company to conduct EIA and respect existing laws. Instead of complying, they embarked on divisive tactics. They have disregarded the community authority. We call on the state government to call SEEPCO to order,” he stated.

He also called on the Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Environment and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to call SEEPCO to comply with the PIA, EIA Act and local content laws in line with industry best practices.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Paramount Ruler on Political and Special Duties, Chief Samuel Ogoniba, called on the agents of the state government to intervene and up their game on their intermediary role.

“We don’t want violence. They should prevail on the company to follow normal protocol and not ignore the community,” he said.