The leadership of Opukushi community at Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Friday said that talks were underway to resolve ongoing conflict that grounded operations at the oilfields in the area.
The face-off disrupted oil exploration activities at an oilfield operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the area since Jan. 10.
It was learnt that the communities hosting SPDC’s EA fields took the steps to protest their alleged exclusion from contracts in the ongoing drilling activities.
Chief Preye Simon, Chairman of Opukushi Community Development Committee, said that the leadership of the community had been invited for talks.
“We have opened discussions on the issue but we are yet to reach an understanding to warrant shifting grounds so we are still occupying the facility.
“We are open to dialogue and peaceful resolution of this issue,” Simon said.
He alleged that rather than engage the people in the ongoing activities at the field in compliance with the Community Content Guidelines, SPDC and its oil services contractors neglected their social obligations to the communities.
Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations Manager at SPDC had in a reaction confirmed that exploration activities had been grounded at the oilfields.
Odugbesan said that personnel of its contractors were safe and unharmed in the invasion and shutdown of the oil rig working at the field and said that the development has been reported to the appropriate government agencies.
“A large number of men and women invaded a contractor-owned and operated rig working for The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Joint Venture in Opukushi in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State in the early hours of Monday, Jan.10.
“The invaders forcibly shutdown the facility and occupied the safe muster area. Nobody was hurt in the process and the incident was promptly reported to government authorities.” Odugbesan stated.
