Members of the Burumuke Sana Family and Peretoru-Gbene Federated Communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have protested against Renaissance African Energy Company Limited over alleged unlawful occupation of their land and failure to pay compensation.
The protesters said the disputed 7,382.905-square-metre property hosts the Brass Creek Oil and Gas Manifold and Heliport, which connects the Tunu, Opukushi and Beniseide Flow Stations to the Forcados Terminal in Delta State.
Speaking during the protest at the facility, community leaders accused Renaissance Energy, formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC), of neglecting the customary owners of the land and using alleged “divide and rule” tactics.
Chief Ken Aguna and former women leader Mrs Butter Felix-Anebi said the family had petitioned Renaissance Energy, the Bayelsa State Government, the police, the Joint Task Force and other authorities without resolving the dispute.
Read Also: subsidy-reform-fg-spends-n30-6tn-to-cushion-economic-impact
Head of the Burumuke Sana Family, Bonaze Maxwell Burumuke, said the prolonged struggle for recognition had subjected him to court cases, financial hardship, psychological trauma and ill health.
Speaking on behalf of the Amananaowei of Peretoru-Gbene Federated Communities, Dr Timi Odikeme Okere, alongside members of the Chiefs Council, said the community recognised Burumuke as the legitimate owner of the land.
The community leadership called on Renaissance Energy to engage the family and pay adequate compensation in line with global standards.
Other chiefs, including Chief Osadebe Okoun and Chief Tekearede Oyabrade, alleged that the family had not received compensation since a land assessment conducted by Julius Berger in 1993.
They also accused the company of excluding the family from development benefits and other royalties linked to the land.
The protesters called for an urgent resolution of the dispute to restore peace in the area. Their placards included messages such as “No compensation, no work” and “Give us our right.”
Attempts to obtain a response from Renaissance African Energy Company Limited were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
