Illegal Occupation Of Oil, Gas Facilities Worries Shell …MOSOP Cautions Firm On Secret Meetings

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has expressed serious safety concerns over the illegal occupation of Belema Flow Station and Gas Plant in Rivers State.
The company said that the alarm has become necessary because of the safety implications both for the people at the facilities and nearby communities.
The Tide recalls that since August 11, 2017, some persons have camped out night and day at the two facilities, alleging neglect and marginalization by the company.
In a statement made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, yesterday, SPDC said it was “deeply concerned that unauthorised persons (including women and children) have been observed in close proximity to equipment that process crude oil and gas without the protection of safety clothing that is mandatory for people working or accessing such restricted areas.”
The statement claimed that SPDC had carried out an emergency shutdown of production ahead of the illegal occupation, but has been unable to access the facilities since then to ensure a safe shutdown over a prolonged period.
“The continued illegal occupation for several days exposes people at the plant to higher safety risks as anything could trigger a spill or fire with potentially serious consequences,” the company warned.
The statement quoted SPDC as saying that “It remains committed to the development of the Niger Delta, especially host communities, including Belema and Kula.”
The Tide investigations revealed that SPDC JV partners have contributed $29billion to the economic growth of Nigeria between 2012 and 2016.
Further checks show that the SPDC JV is also currently supporting various GMoU Cluster Development Boards in the Niger Delta and mentoring NGOs to deploy a total of N7billion for development projects of host communities’ choice under the GMoU programme.
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), has warned the Shell Petroleum Development Company to stop all secret moves to return to Ogoni, insisting that they are not welcome.
In a resolution after a meeting of MOSOP’s Central Committee in Port Harcourt, last Friday, MOSOP called on Shell/NPDC to vacate Ogoniland immediately and to stop holding nocturnal meetings with some Ogonis or face the consequences.
The communiqué signed by its President, Norteh Meebari; Deputy President, Gbene Lekue Zini; and Secretary, Lemii Petaba said “MOSOP commended the Ogoni people for their massive turnout during the anti-Shell/NPDC protest held on August 4, 2017, but called on government to immediately commence a total reconstruction of the Port Harcourt – Ogoni axis of the East-West road to address the pains, hardship and deaths which is currently the case on that road”.
The central committee also approved the indefinite suspension of erring officials of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), for engaging in anti-MOSOP activities, even as the body approved new appointments to replace the suspended officials in acting capacity.
It would be recalled that the people of Oyigbo and other communities in Rivers State have been crying out over the pollution of their environment, and the insensitivity of Shell to their yearnings and aspirations.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana