Crisis that might lead to open confrontation is brewing in Kula Town in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers as factional stakeholders from communities of the disputed Oil Mining License (OML) 25 and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the re-opening of the closed flow station and the payment of outstanding funds owed Stakeholder Communities under the extant Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU).
The M.O.U. signed between Shell and the Stakeholder Communities also mandated Shell to pay into a dedicated account, the sum of N1.36billion within two weeks for the development of the communities.
The oil field was shut in August 2017 by the communities who alleged that SPDC had not done anything for the communities since its 3 decades operation in the town.
The OML which produces 45 000 barrels of crude oil and millions of cubic centimetres of gas daily is said to have cost the Federal Government an estimated 700 billion in revenue since it was shut two years ago.
But the stakeholders in the communities seem to disagree over the intervention of the state government in the matter.
Some stakeholders in a statement during the weekend signed by representatives of the three communities – King Bourdillon Allen Ekine, Amanyanabo of Opukula (Old Shipping); Chief-elect Mpakaboari Welsch, Chief-elect Oputuboye Walter and Prince Opunabo Ekine, Alabo Fiala Okoye-Davies, Sibia Aaron Sukubo (Offo XIII), Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, Spokesman PANDEF, Chief Ibiosia Nath-Sukubo, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, Chief Ibinabo Daniel Kiliya and Chief Wapakaboari A. Gaga, dissociated themselves from the agreement between SPDC and the communities, adding that they were not invited to the meeting where the purported agreement was reached.
They said that SPDC will never return to their communities again, adding that they would rather divest the facility to their preferred investor (Belemaoil).
According to them: “We insist that we do not want SPDC any more in our land. We will continue to occupy the oil facility peacefully until our demands are met. Let the Rivers State government and Shell come with their brute force, we are ready to die for this cause.
“We remain resolute in our demands for the divestment of OML25 by SPDC, taking into cognisance the right-of-first-refusal of the host communities.”
“We are constrained to notify the public of the dangerous steps taken by officials of the Rivers State government in resolving the impasse surrounding the shutdown of OML25.
“We have it on good authority that SPDC is engaging in unwholesome and fraudulent practices with government officials to do its bidding on the matter in flagrant disregard to due process, probity, fairness and equity.
“We have been inundated with credible information that a top government official has received $5 million bribe from Shell, on behalf of the government, to undermine due process on this matter, all in a bid to forcefully re-open the facility.”
But the State Government accused them of being sponsored to stop the process of settlement, peace and progress, adding that the State Government is determined to conclude the re-opening process.
The State Governments added that its actions are based on the renewal of SPDC Operating License, adding that should the license be transferred to Belema Oil by NNPC, Rivers State Government will ensure implementation.
The representative of Rivers State Governor and Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, who superintended over the signing of the MoU on Monday at the Government House Port Harcourt said that fundamental reason for Monday’s meeting was to sign the agreement, without prejudice to who holds different positions in the communities.
According to him: “We are here to sign the settlement agreement between Shell and the Kula communities. We are here to resolve the issues between Shell and our people.
“After this agreement, other meetings would be convened to determine the issues of employment, community development and community contracts. For now, the aim is for Shell to pay the funds that have accrued and for the flow station to be opened for further development in the communities.
“We want our people to own oil blocks, but we don’t want a situation where the operating license of others in our state are illegally taken away. This is because other Rivers people are operating in other states. Let us approach these issues in peace to achieve progress “.
Igo Weli, the external relations manager of SPDC said the signing of the settlement agreement is a welcome development which will improve the reputation of Rivers State as a centre for investments.
He said that peace and harmony between corporate entities and host communities is the way to go.
According to him: “This is a good model and template. This is best practice. We came here to find solutions because we want the best for our communities. There are always constructive ways and peaceful ways of resolving conflicts “.
