Ahead of the planned sale of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) onshore assets, Itsekiri Youth For Good Governance (IYGG) has demanded for the involvement of stakeholders and host communities in the oil rich Niger Delta in the proposed deal.
The group specifically demanded that Itsekiri investors and stakeholders should be given the right of first refusal in the sale of the onshore assets considering the environmental hazards suffered by their indigenes in the oil and gas explorations in the region.
In a statement signed by the group’s National Chairman, Comrade Mone Oris; South-South Zonal Secretary, Mr. Majemite Bawo Mode and Women Leader, Mrs. Ofe Eyemami Rose, the group maintained that the Federal and the Delta State Governments must ensure that stakeholders and investors from oil bearing communities be granted the opportunity to purchase the assets.
It, however, accused Shell Nigeria of planning to sell the assets to local companies in their bit to evade their responsibilities of cleaning the environment that have been polluted and destroyed by oil and gas activities.
They warned that prospective investors to consider the liabilities incurred by SPDC before buying the assets, stressing that any efforts to abrogate Itsekiri stakeholders who bear the brunt of oil exploration would be resisted.
“In light of the conglomerate’s attempt to evade its responsibilities and shift the burden onto other local companies, it is imperative that the Itsekiri stakeholders are actively engaged and included in all negotiations.
“Furthermore, the Itsekiri stakeholders in the Warri Kingdom must be granted the right of first refusal, considering they bear the brunt of the hazards left behind by Shell Nigeria, while the company focuses primarily on its offshore assets.
“As a resilient and united people, the Itsekiri nation will vehemently resist any form of oppression and will not hesitate to shut down all Shell facilities within their areas if the necessary actions are not taken. It has been over 70 years since Shell commenced its exploration activities, and there is little to boast about in terms of development within the Warri Kingdom.
“We, therefore, utilize this platform to issue a clear warning to Renaissance Africa Energy and other indigenous companies covertly attempting to acquire Shell’s onshore assets in Itsekiri land.
“We urge them to tread carefully and refrain from squandering their resources, as the Itsekiri people will vehemently resist their presence and take measures to shut down all facilities”, the statement partly read.
Claiming that Itsekiris are the greatest victims of Shell’s oil exploration hazards in the Niger Delta, the group said, “The Itsekiri people have been the unfortunate victims of over seven decades of hazardous exploration activities conducted by Shell in our land.
“Any act of oppression by this multinational corporation will be met with fierce resistance, with the Itsekiri people prepared to defend their rights and interests at all costs. Additionally, we call upon both the Delta State government and the federal government to urgently intervene before irreversible damage is inflicted.
“The consequences of their neglect will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the oil and gas industry across the entire nation.
“In conclusion, the Itsekiri nation stands united against the continued exploitation and neglect perpetrated by Shell Nigeria. We demand that Renaissance Africa Energy and other potential purchasers of Shell’s onshore assets in our land reconsider their plans and refrain from wasting their resources.
“The Itsekiri people will not rest until their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and justice is served. We implore the Delta State government and the federal government to prioritize the plight of the Itsekiri people and take immediate action to rectify the environmental degradation inflicted upon our land.
“Failure to do so will have far-reaching consequences not only for the Itsekiri people but for the entire oil and gas industry in our great nation.”
