Stop Using Our Oil Wells For Protest – Communities warn Neighbouring Community
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Bilabiri I and II communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have warned neighbouring Letugbene community to stay away fromTunu Oil Wells 4 and 5.
A statement by the chairmen of Community Development Committees of both communities, David Bazigha and Esau Darosha , also told the people of Letugbene to desist from using the oil wells as a platform to protest against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) as the wells do not belong to them.
The warning was sequel to a recent protest by Letugbene at Tunu Wells 4 and 5, where protesters demanded employment and other entitlements from SPDC.
The Statement, which condemned the protest and shutdown of SPDC operations by Letugbene indegenes, said the Tunu Oil Wells 4 and 5 belonged to Bilabiri communities and had never been a subject of dispute.
The chairmen said using the oil wells as issues of protest could be misunderstood and could trigger communal clash. According to them, the oil wells are not part of the litigations between Letugbene and their neighboring Egbemo-Angalabiri community.
The statement said, “We the people of Bilabiri Kingdom, comprising Bilabiri I and II communities in Ekeremor council, and landlords of Tunu Oil Wells 4 and 5, operated by SPDC, state that the wells have never been a subject of litigation or dispute as it is located in Bilabiri Kingdom land and rightly belong to Bilabiri Kingdom.
“We condemn the use of Tunu Oil Wells 4 and 5 as the location by Letugbene Community to protest against SPDC to demand for employment and other entitlements from SPDC.
“Using our oil wells as a protest platform could be misconstrued and capable of igniting communal conflict between the communities and disrupting the cordial relationship that has existed between us.
“We understand there is a litigation between Letugbene and Egbemo-Angalabiri communities and SPDC, but Bilabiri commmunities do not want to be dragged into any conflict that does not concern us. We urge the state, local governments and security agencies to caution the people of Letugbene to stay away from Bilabiri and Tunu Oil Wells 4 and 5 in the interest of peace.”
