OML 25: Rivers State Government, Stakeholder Communities And Shell Meet To Resolve Contending Issues 

Rivers State Government  has reiterated that the Oil Mining License (OML) 25 must be re-opened  for operations  with the interest of host communities protected by the operating company,  Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Host Communities of OML 25 also stated their developmental  concerns,  urging SPDC to address them for mutually  beneficial relationship  with the company to be entrenched. 

Representative of Rivers State Governor and Secretary to the State Government,  Dr Tammy Danagogo in a meeting the State Government convened between the host communities and SPDC said that the Rivers State Governor remains committed  to the protection  of host communities’  interest. 

He said: “The flow station of that facility  must be opened.  For that to happen,  we think that the interest of the host communities must be protected, so that in future  we don’t  have a repeat of what happened. 

“That is why it is in the best interest of everybody concerned to state very genuine concerns of what Shell has to do. “

He said that the Rivers State Government is discharging  its responsibility  of ensuring  the peaceful  resolution  of the issues.

“At the initial  stage,  we didn’t want to get involved  because  we felt that the Shell license was almost  terminating.  But at this stage , it is clear to everybody that the Federal Government has renewed  the licence of Shell  for another 20 years.  What it means is that for the next 20 years,  Shell must be there. 

“As a law abiding Government,  what we will do is to see that Shell does not trample upon the rights of our people. So that Shell will listen to our people on what they ought to do”, he said.

The Representative  of the Rivers State Governor urged the communities  to do what is right, assuring that the State Government  will on that premise  prevail on Shell Petroleum Development Company  to release the Global Memorandum of Understanding  funds. 

General Manager,  External Relations of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr Igo Weli said that the SPDC is ready to dialogue with the communities  and resolve  the issues raised.

He said that the existing  Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) has expired, but working with the communities,  another GMOU will be worked out for the development  of the  communities. 

He said: “The third one is retaining for fund . The fund for each community is stipulated in the GMOU and each community will have their community trust and even though one community has a problem we can give you your money to go ahead. So once we do it properly, specify how much belongs to each community, have your own community trust, one community will not hold the other communities down. If you have a problem we localize the problem and sort out the one we can operate. That’s what we have been doing”

He informed  that there is N960million on ground in line with the existing GMOU,  saying  that the company  is ready to invest  the funds.

“There is no perfect solution.  Once  we get 80 percent of the people to agree, then let’s do it. We want to operate  in a way that all stakeholders will feel recognised.  There are rules. Once we agree on the rules, we will  move forward.  The GMOU will be modified  to meet the new realities “, he said.

The Amanyanabo of Kula, King Kroma Eleki alleged that Shell worked with  a section of the Kingdom and marginalised others. He also said that some community  leaders also create the atmosphere for  the marginalisation  of the Kingdom. 

He  said  that when Shell  started operations,  it was agreed that 60 percent of proceeds must go to Kula community and 30 percent to Belema. He regretted  that Shell failed to respect the agreement. 

King Eleki said though the Federal Government  can open the OML 25, Shell should  carry out  its Corporate Social Responsibility to the communities.  He also called on the Federal Government  to work towards protecting  the interest  of the host communities. 

Amanyanabo of Belema,  King Ibinabo Kalaoriye said Belema  is the host community,  but all the funds meant for the host community  were diverted to Kula.

He said that OML 25 was illegally  occupied by some persons who connived  with another set of soldiers  to take over the facility. 

The Amanyanabo of Belema,  King Ibinabo Kalaoriye said going forward,  no funds meant for the development  of Belema  community  should be sent to Kula.

He said despite  the challenges,  Shell had executed  some important  projects  in the area as a result  of the existence  of the OML  25.

Also speaking,  the Amanyanabo of Opu-Kula,  King Hope Opusingi said Shell should  come out clean  and declare the funds due the communities  on the basis of the GMOU. 

He said that the meeting should agree on the amount of the funds that Shell should invest and the communities  that are entitled  to the investment. 

The meeting had in attendance the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area,  Hon Rowland Sekibo,  the Member  representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 1 at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Major Jack and Hon Opuende Lolo, Member  Representing Akuku-Toru Constituency  2 at the Rivers State House and the community development  committees of the stakeholder communities of OML 25.