Bolo Resists Clean Up Of Bodo West Oilfields

Bolo community has
vowed to resist the proposed clean-up of the Bodo-West oilfields scheduled for July this year if the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria does not recognize them as their host.
The community which stated this at a press conference in Port Harcourt recently, explained that in spite of overwhelming (facts) evidence that attest to their ownership of the Bodo-West oil fields, the SPDC has refused to accord them the recognition as a host community.
The community which spoke through its lawyer, Barr. Mela Oforbika, warned that the intended clean up should end in Bodo territory.
Barr. Oforbika condemned the attitude of robbing  Peter to pay Paul and explained that in spite of the helluva letters written to the SPDC, the company had refused to recognize them.
He alleged that because of intransigence of the oil company, their community had lost a lot of fortunes.
Barr. Oforbika stated that in spite of the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP) which clarified the Bolo ownership of Bodo West Oilfields, the SPDC had not deemed it necessary to negotiate with the community.
He said the community would safeguard its property against any unlawful incursion.
Barr. Oforbika said that the SPDC had the attitude of thinking that it could get away with the act because it was partnering with the Federal Government
According to him, as a community we got information that a memorandum was being drawn to clean-up the oilwells. That is 1000 hectares into the rivers and swamps. We immediately objected”.
The Abuja- based lawyer further explained that 1000 hectares into the swamps belong to the Bolo community.
As part of the community’s seven (7) point demand, it asked for, “full recognition and conferment of all benefits accruable to Bolo community as a host community in the Bomu and Bodo-west oilfields in oil mining lease 11(OML 11).
It will be recalled that despite the fact, Ogonis and Bolos on whose lands the SPDC is exploiting, the Ogonis have been recognized while the Bolos have been ignored in spite of entreaties.
The press conference featured Barr. Mela Oforbika, the community ‘s attorney and spokesman on Oil & Gas matters, Chief Solomon Ibiayemie, Secretary, Bolo Council of Chiefs and Chief Marshall D.D. Oforibokakaka, chairman, Legal committee, Bolo Council of Chiefs.
Others include Chief N. Igbikiowubo Ayematiki, member, Bolo Council of Chiefs, Mr Blessing Owubokiri, Chairman, Bolo Study Group, Mr Bomaipirima Asitonka, Chairman, Bolo Community Development Committee, Mrs Mabel Alabo, women leader and Mr Ferdinand Oriboribo, youth chairman, Bolo community.