PANDEF opposes proposed sale of OML 25 oil field by Shell

Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, on Monday opposed the planned sale of Belema oil field, OML 25,  by Shell Petroleum Development Company to Chrester Nigeria Ltd.

PANDEF insisted on the divestment of the oil field to an indigenous firm, saying it would resist moves by the multinational oil company to sell it to a foreign corporate entity.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the contentious oil field, Clark asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgent priority, grant Niger Delta indigenes and the Niger Delta State Governments who are interested, the right of first refusal in the renewal and award of oil licenses.

He said this, would positively and rapidly impact on the social and economic prosperity of the region and the country as a whole, and  hugely contribute to the peace and security in the Niger Delta.

He  further stated that PANDEF would no longer allow oil companies to

treat Niger Delta people like their slaves and the region like a toxic dumping ground without taking responsibility.

He accused SPDC of instigating an attack by soldiers on Kula kingdom, Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State on September 15, 2018.

The PANDEF leader called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to direct the Chief of Defense Staff and the National Security Adviser, to set up a high-powered investigative panel to uncover those behind the deployment of the naval gunboats to the OML 25 host communities in Kula Kingdom.

Clark said: “SPDC must therefore put on hold any planned sale of OML 25 in the overall interest of peace and stability of the Niger Delta Region.

“SPDC must produce the report of pre-environmental impact assessment carried out before their operations and post-impact assessment to determine the state of the environment.”

It further stated, “This will be done in partnership with UN Environmental Protection Agency, the communities, the State and the Federal Government environmental agencies, PANDEF and SPDC.”

Clark accused SPDC of failing to honour its agreement with the host communities of OML 25, noting that it instead sold some of the flow stations in 2014 and was presently planning to sell the Belema Gas Station to Chrester Nigeria Ltd.

The Ijaw leader said, “Over the years, International Oil Companies exemplified by Shell have not only exploited the resources and degraded our lands; they are also taking advantage of the people, inducing unnecessary crisis and conflicts.”

“Host communities of OML 25, otherwise known as Belema, Offinama, Ngeje, Kilama, Diaba, Okoama, amongst others and the entire Kula Kingdom have resolved that SPDC must divest OML 25 to an indigenous firm.”