Posted by By Samuel Oyadongha on
YENAGOA - AS part of measures to find lasting solution to the incessant face-off between the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum....
YENAGOA - AS part of measures to find lasting solution to the incessant face-off between the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its host communities in the Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa, the State government has set-up a ten-man committee to look into the requests and grievances of the communities many of which are located on the Atlantic fringe.
The move it was gathered is part of efforts to pave way for the resumption of oil and gas production activities in the troubled area.
The committee set up during a stakeholders meeting of chiefs and representatives of the communities and SPDC in Yenagoa organised by the state Oil and Gas Bureau, is headed by the Special Adviser to the governor on Oil and Gas, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, while the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mr. F Olorogun, is to serve as member of the board.
Others are a representative of each of the seven clans in Ekeremor and the Shell Petroleum Development Company.
The committee which is mandated to look into the alleged claims as they relate to legacy projects, spills compensation, surveillance contracts as well as the award of contracts to indigenous contractors, scholarship and employment, among others, is expected to submit its report Thursday.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Oil and Gas Matters, Chief Diekievie Ikiogha, had during the meeting said the resumption of oil production activities in the area was in the best interest of all stakeholders.
According to him, the situation in the area was affecting the state's revenue as the 13 percent derivation was based on the individual states monthly oil production, and that it had also delayed the execution of legacy projects in the communities by government under a partnership agreement with SPDC.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security Matters, Maj. Andrew Oputa (rtd), warned the people not to allow themselves to be used by people with inordinate ambitions.