Niger Delta
Ogbia Communities Protest Shell Operations In Kolo Creek
The activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Kolo Creek Logistic office were brought to a halt following a protest by four aggrieved communities in Ogbia local government, Bayelsa State against the Dutch giant oil firm over alleged failure to implement an agreement reached with communities 12 years ago.
The Tide gathered that the protest was the second time the communities will be carrying out such action in less than two weeks against the company. The protesters who came from Oruma,Otuasega,Imiringi and Elebele forced themselves into the fenced premises of the company and locked all the valves of the manifold located along Imiringi-Otuasega road.
During the protest, they threatened that the oil firm will not know peace until the agreement was implemented . The locked valves reportedly stopped the flow of crude oil to the various terminals. Operatives of the Joint Military Taskforce(JTF) guarding the facility were orderly, as they controlled the situation to ensure that the protest remained peaceful as the communities made their demands.
The protesters who besieged the company’s office as early as 7am paralysed the social and economic activities around the site of the company. They also demanded for the removal of the Community Liaison Officer of SPDC,Tunde Joel over alleged non-challant attitude and insensitivily to their plights. It would be recalled that the aggrieved communities staged a peaceful protest against the oil company on July 7, where they conveyed a mock coffin to the area.
The Tide was reliably informed that at the end of the protest, SPDC promised to look into their grievances,but,the promises were allegedly not fulfilled. One of the leaders of the protesters and Vice Chairman of Imiringi Community Development Committee(CDC) Pastor Ranami Afagha , said that the agreement indicated that the company would provide electricity to its host communities whenever there is such facility in its base.
“We shut down the manifold because Shell failed to honour our round table discussions since three months ago. This protest will continue as long as Shell continues to take our oil and failing to respect agreements reached with us.” In his own contribution, CDC Chairman of Oruma community, Clifford Igburu, regretted the manner in which SPDC was treating the communities ,alleging that the firm was more interested in dividing the people. Igburu lamented that rather than addressing the protesters demand Shell was going round trying to buy over some of our traditional rulers.
But this cannot work. When the company is serious, we shall know, for now Shell is not serious. Let them react positively to our demand that the agreement reached with us be implemented.”
In the same vein,Field Co-ordinator of the Environmental Rights Action(ERA) in Bayelsa State,Alagoa Morris,told our correspondent that the people of the Niger Delta were getting more aware of their rights. ”Shell should address the protesters on the spot, rather than going round to apply divide and rule tactics The communities should maintain their peaceful disposition as they go about their demand.
The JTF should equally remain disciplined and avoid violence against protesters,” the ERA official submitted. In a reaction ,Spokesman of SPDC, Port Harcourt,Precious Okolobo, said that the Kolo Creek field logistics base has been supplying electricity to Elebele, Imiringi and Otuasega communities in line with an agreement reached in 1999.
“However, these communities have since expanded and the demand for power has exceeded the installed capacity. As an alternative, SPDC facilitated the hook-up of the communities to the Bayelsa Electricity Supply Board (BESB) grid, and also supplies gas to the BESB gas turbine at Imiringi.
The communities have been enjoying stable power from the facility, but it is understood that the plant is currently undergoing major refurbishment,Okolobo explained. ”We continue to implement development projects in the area. The Kolo Creek Cluster Development Board was inaugurated in 2007 as part of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) agreed for execution of the Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Project.
A total of N535mln was disbursed to the Board between 2006 – 2010 for the implementation of projects, including civic centres, accommodation quarters for teachers and youth corps members, drainage systems, internal roads, electricity hook-up and guest houses. ” The SPDC official said the company was in the process of engaging the protesting youths ,who have tampered with its installations in such a manner that poses serious threat to people and the environment.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.