Host Communities of OML- 25, in Kula Kingdom, Akuku- Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, have demanded for a binding agreement with the new operator of the oil facility, before resumption of oil production in the area.
It was learnt that Shell had divested the oil asset to Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings in the wake of a protracted dispute with the Host Communities over issues of neglect, impoverishment and enslavement of the Host Communities since it began operation in the area 67 years ago.
The Host Communities which comprises Kula, Belema, Offoin- Ama, Ngeje, made the demand while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt at the end of an enlarged Stakeholders Engagement by the new operator of OML – 25 with it’s Host Communities in the Eastern Zone of the Niger Delta.
The Host Communities insists that the new operator must inherit the liabilities of Shell before they will be allowed to operate in the area.
The Kula Stakeholders requested for a separate Engagement with the new operator to extract an obligatory and enforceable commitment from the company to avoid a repeat of their ugly experience with Shell.
” They said, this will foster a robust company – host community relationship that will prioritize sustainable development, mutual benefit, transparency and long- term community empowerment through initiatives like infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, while also ensuring environmental stewardship “.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Stakeholders Engagement with the company, an Elder Statesman and prominent Stakeholder of Kula Kingdom, His Highness, Anabs Sara- Igbe, said part of the liabilities are non – implementation of the 2019 Agreement between Shell , the Host Communities, the Federal Government, NNPC and Belemaoil which owns a stake in OML- 25.
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe lamented that the Host Communities suffered untold hardship, total neglect, deprivation, enslavement and the worst form of human backwardness for 67 years of the operation of Shell in the area.
Chief Sara- Igbe further stated that the new operator of OML- 25 should also be ready to inherit the massive unemployment in the area as well lack of basic amenities and pollution of the environment by Shell.
Also speaking, President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Amb. Sukubo Sara- Igbe Sokubo, expressed deep concern over the decision of the new operator to retain the staff of Shell who were complicit in the dispute with the Host Communities, saying that it may perpetuate a circle of conflict and undermine the trust of the Host Communities.
Amb . Sokubo Sara- Igbe who is a prominent Stakeholder of Kula Kingdom said that the new operator must address the age- long menace of Youth unemployment in the Host Communities by prioritizing employment and economic empowerment in its policies and programs to guarantee sustainable oil production in the area.
On his part, Youth Leader in Kula Kingdom and a Stakeholder in the area, Christain Don Pedro said the new operator of OML- 25, Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings must begin by laying a foundation of harmonious relationship with the Host Communities to avoid making the mistake of Shell.
He emphasized that the new operator must adopt an all + inclusive approach and avoid the pitfalls of ‘ divide and rule’ which he said was the Hallmark of Shell.
He opined that OML- 25, a major oil block in the Niger Delta which accounts for over 45,000 cubic barrels of crude oil and 103,000 cubic feet of gas per day,has been lying fallow for over 15 years due to a long standing dispute between the operator, SPDC, and it’s Host Communities.
