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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Aggrieved youths from the Anyama Clan of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) and Onuebum Community in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State have shut down an oil field in the state.
According to the youths, the owner of the project, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) allegedly showed disregard for the State Government directive to resume negotiations with the host community and comply with local, state, and federal laws including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Investigations revealed that the angry youths, numbering over a hundred, invaded the dredging site of the project Tuesday morning and shut down operations.
They were also supported by Onuebum youths led by the Chairman and secretary of the Onuebum Oil and Gas Task Force, Mr. John Bailiff Egapekpar, and Ebitimi Egbenpere respectively.
The youths, chanting Ijaw songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “SEEPCO comply with section 12 of the EIA Act”, IYC demand implementation of section 236 of the PIA for Onuebum community “, “We reject your non-compliance with Petroleum Industry” and “Desist from your operations in Onuebum,” said they would not vacate the filed until the company comply with their demands.
The IYC Chairman (Ayama Clan), Comrade Samson Insurance Lucky explained that the protest is to register their grievances.
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“We call on the company to resume discussion with the community and respect the relevant laws. The company has also rebuffed all efforts by the IYC to assist in the resolution of the contentious issues.”
Speaking to newsmen, the traditional heads of the Onuebum community led by the paramount ruler, Obanema Kine Kobolota Osain, Ogo XVI and his Deputy, Chief John Alpheus Edede, Opalama XIII confirmed to newsmen that despite the protest staged by the IYC and the Youths of the Community, the State Government should call the company to order.
King Osain noted that the community has been on the part of peace, prevailing 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 restrained the youths against acts that would instigate quarrels. 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 the Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) to order.”
He also called on the Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Environment, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to ensure SEEPCO complies with the PIA, Environmental Impact Assessment Act, and Local Content Laws in line with industry best practices.
