Niger Delta
Monarch Hails Diri’s Developmental Strides … Alleges Neglect By Oil Firm
Paramount ruler of Okutukutu Community in the Epie Kingdom of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness, Franklin Akintola, has praised the developmental strides of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Speaking with newsmen on tour of projects executed by Government and other developmental partners in the community, the monarch said the governor’s projects and programmes have improved the livelihoods of citizens and residents of the state.
He thanked Governor Diri for considering his community in his development plans, noting that Okutukutu has benefited six internal roads and other projects.
The Royal father also expressed appreciation to the Governor for the relocation of the Okutukutu/Etegwe market to a befitting place, saying that has made business safer and more convenient for traders.
He, however, alleged that Shell Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), now Renaissance Africa Energy Nigeria Ltd., has neglected the community in terms of employment opportunities and award of contracts in the ongoing rig work in the area.
“Shell (now Renaissance) has a history of divide and rule tactics, pitching communities against each other to carry out oil drilling unhindered.
“Instead of dealing with Opolo Community and Okutukutu as host Communities, in line with the settled longstanding dispute over ownership of nine oil wells in which Okutukutu has produced evidence of ownership, the oil company is only settling the Opolo Community
“Shell has not carried the community along in its operations. They’ve failed to employ our community members and haven’t provided necessary benefits for the community such as sit-at-home payments and PRO payments.
“There was a 1985 court judgment, known as the ‘Dagogo Jack judgment’ which favoured Opolo Community within a confined area marked with pink in exhibit A, but Opolo Community has encroached beyond the area the Court gave judgement into the portion of land belonging to Okutukutu Community”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa