Alleged strangulation: Bayelsa community gives Aiteo quit notice

Nathan Tamarapreye

The Opu-Nembe community in Nembe-Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and host to Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited, on Saturday, issued the oil firm a notice to quit their environment.

Speaking during a world press conference and protest march by the leaders of the community, the indigenes accused the oil exploration company of economic strangulation, ecological destruction, contract racketeering and corporate wickedness.

The Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in the kingdom wore an all-black outfit in what they described as a symbol to announce the death and burial of the company in the community.

Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Oriango Oruwari, who addressed the press, said the conference served as a notice to quit for Aiteo, effective from November 14, adding, “Aiteo is no longer welcome afterwards.”

He said: “As earlier stated, the incompetence manner this prized asset is operated in has caused several oil spills in our kingdom, some of which are now receiving attention from NOSDRA following petitions from our lawyers, though they remain uncleared and unmediated over a year after.

“At this rate, the mere remnants of our ecological resources and natural livelihoods may completely vanish during the remaining two and half years of President Mohammandu Buhari’s tenure in office, all thanks to Aiteo.

“Consequently, we declare as follows; that the operational license of OML 29 held by Aiteo having expired on the June 30, 2019, notwithstanding the illegal secretive renewal by the then Minister Ibe Kachikwu, should be relinquished.

“That the Federal government owned Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) should take over the operations of OML 29, pending when a new, competent and community friendly operator takes over.

“That any purported renewal of the lease after 30th June, 2019, when the present lease expired is invalid and as such Aiteo became a trespasser and persona non grata in Opu Nembe domain and will therefore not be accorded any social license to operate going forward,” he said

Also speaking, Chief Boumonyo Amakiri Duo, Retired permanent secretary, said, “Today is a very big day for the people of Opu Nembe, as you can see all of us wearing black which depicts that something serious has happened and what has happened is to announce to you the death and burial of Aiteo in Opu Nembe land.

“Anytime you see the Nembe people wear black dung, we have lost a rare gem, we have lost somebody , today is to announce to the world that Aiteo is dead and buried in Opu Nembe land, because of their irregularities because of their fraudulent practices, we are tired and we are no longer in this marriage,” he said. When contacted, Aiteo through one of its Spokeman who was not authorized to speak on behalf of the company, said the company is working on a response to the issues raised by the community.