Dec. 24, 2023

The Bayelsa government, says it will not allow a protest planned for Dec. 26 to disrupt oil production at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration.

The Bayelsa government in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Chief Ayiba Duba warned the masterminds of the planned protest in Nembe Basambiri, that youths and chiefs’ council activities remained suspended in the area.

According to the state government, the security agencies have been alerted of the plot calculated to halt oil production at the OML 29 oil fields and deprive the state of the much needed oil derivation revenue.

The government said it would not want anyone under any guise to breach the prevailing peace in Nembe Basambiri and across Bayelsa.

“The attention of the Bayelsa government has been drawn to a planned protest on Dec. 26 by some individuals in Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of the state, who have constituted themselves into youth and chiefs councils.

“The public should note that activities of these individuals are in violation of the subsisting suspension placed on all youth and chiefs’ councils’ activities in Bassambiri at the wake of a violent crisis traceable to the unwholesome conduct of the youth body and chiefs’ council in the area in August.

“The protest being planned by these individuals against Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company will not only disrupt activities of the company but also breach the peace, undermine public order and safety as well as possible destruction of oil and gas infrastructure in the state,” it said.

Oil production at OML 29 had remained comatose for two years due to unsustainable levels of oil theft and vandalism on the 97 kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL).

Aiteo, the indigenous oil firm that acquired the asset for 2.4 billion dollars, following divestment by Shell recently discarded the NCTL and resorted to direct export using a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel.

The Bayelsa government explained that the planned protest was not only an affront on the authority of the state but also a sabotage of the Nigerian economy.

“Therefore, government wishes to warn those involved in this attempt to undermine the public peace in Nembe under the guise of protest against oil companies, to abort it immediately as there will be consequence for any unruly conduct.

“Meanwhile, all security agencies in the state have been put on red alert and will not hesitate to do everything within their means to prevent infraction in Nembe and indeed the entire state.

“To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” it added.

The management of the oil firm has yet to respond to request for response on the development. (NAN)