Ijaw youths shut down oil field over noncompliance with laws

Nigeria daily oil production was, again, threatened, yesterday, as angry youths from the Anyama Clan of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) and Onuebum Community of Ogbia Local Council Area of Bayelsa State stormed and shut down the operation of an oil well project, OPL 2005, located in the community.

The angry youths in their numbers said that 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 angry youths, numbering over a hundred, arrived at the oil platform at about 09:30 a.m. 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, John Egapekpar and Ebitimi Egbenpere, respectively.

The youths, chanting war songs, while displaying placards with inscription such as “SEEPCO comply with Section 12 of the EIA Act”, “IYC demands implementation of Section 236 of the PIA for Onuebum Community”, “We reject your non-compliance with Petroleum Industry Act” and “Desist from your violatory operations in Onuebum.”

The IYC Chairman (Ayama Clan), Samson Lucky, said: “We were in Onuebum to counter the anomalies of the Sterling Global in the areas of non-conduct of EIA, the disrespect to 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.”

Speaking to newsmen, the traditional heads of the Onuebum community led by the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness Obanema Kine Kobolota Osain, Ogo XVI and his Deputy, High Chief John Alpheus Edede, Opalama XIII, confirmed to newsmen that despite the protest staged by the IYC and youths of the community, the state government should call SEEPCO to order.

Osain, while speaking on the development, said that the community has been on the part of peace, prevailing on the youths to avoid acts that will throw the community into violence.

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