The host communities of the Samabiri/Biseni Cluster, specifically Osekwenike, Osifo, and Abuetor, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have threatened to stop Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited from operating in the area.
The Presidents General of the three communities: Mr. Anthony Okorie (Osekwenike), Comrade Augustin Ogodo (Osifo) and Comrade Bartholomew Uti (Abuetor) announced this in a statement
According to the community leaders, they have been denied participation by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in the pipeline surveillance activities, hence their decision.
They said they had exhausted all avenues for dialogue, including a formal letter sent through their legal counsel on September 30, 2024—acknowledged by Tantita on October 2, 2024—all in vain.
The communities said they have a longstanding relationship with the oil company, after they successfully hosted its operations since 2001 without any incident of sabotage despite overseeing multiple oil wells, extensive trunk lines, and a substantial daily output of over 15,000 barrels.
They, therefore, wondered why they were excluded the from pipeline surveillance roles, which they believe are crucial for community engagement and support.
They said they would shutdown the plants, to demand acknowledgment and respect for their rightful role in the oil operations that significantly impact their environment and livelihoods.
The statement said: “We are calling on the Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the Coordinator, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Bayelsa Operations and management of the company to as a matter of urgency invite the leaders of the three communities for a roundtable meeting.
“We are also calling on the government of Bayelsa State, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to prevail on the oil and gas surveillance companies operating in Bayelsa State to recognise Osekwenike, Osifo and Abuetor communities as host communities and relate with them accordingly.
“While we commend the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, for raising the bar of oil and gas facilities surveillance in the Niger Delta, we look forward to a robust discussion with our communities on the above subject matter without which we will be left with no other options but to shut down oil operations activities at the Samabiri/Biseni Cluster Location until our youths are engaged.
“We are therefore giving a four-week ultimatum from the day of this publication to attend to the demands raised above through our agent whose phone numbers appeared in a previous letter we addressed to Tantita dated 30th September, 2024.”
