Group Accuses SPDC Staff Of Pipeline Vandalism

Chairman, Tarakiri Cluster Dev. Board, Dr. Jude Ebibokefie (left) in a chat with General Manager, SDCR, SPDC, Mr. Nedo Osayamde (right) during the commissioning of Agbidiama Landing Craft at SPDC Marine Base, Kidney Island, Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson

As accusing fingers  keep
pointing at oil multinationals over the issue of oil theft, some host communities have accused employees of the Dutch  oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development  Company of Nigeria’ (SPDC) of being actively involved in vandalisation of pipelines.
The accusation, this time is coming from the Ijaw chapter of the Delta State Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM).
A statement from the group alleged that SPDC workers were involved in vandalising pipelines to create jobs for their friends and cronies.
The statement signed by HOSTCOM chairman, Mr. Kingsley Ikiere, and secretary, Ozugbo  Godwin  raised alarm that SPDC has started its blackmail  of some host communities to deprive them of their entitlements and benefits.
While noting that Odimodi, Isiyayeigbene, Ogulagha, Okuntu and other host communities  have kept their part by providing a peaceful working environment for Shell to operate its facilities the body regretted that in 2009 and 2013, suspected vandals and pirates who were caught and handed over to  security agencies by Isiyayeigbene and Odimodi communities were released  without  any punishment because they are working with shell insiders.
The group called on the company to stop what it described as incessant and cheap  blackmail which  were being perpetrated in order to deprive the  communities of their due entitlements.
The statement said,” if we are not allowed to partake, then it will be clear that SPDC is  aware and supports the dubious activities of its workers at the Forcados  terminal”.
It would be recalled that several groups  including security agencies, and individuals have accused  staff of oil majors in the  country of being involved in oil theft.