The Federal Government has launched a probe into complaints by the oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State over land grabbing by international oil companies including the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company.
The investigative team headed by Kamoru Busari, the director of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ Upstream Department, along with representatives from the Nigerian Police, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, and the Bayelsa State government set out to gather information in the communities of Biseni, Enebele, Ogbia, and Gbaran, according to The Punch.
A statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources stated that the probe was in response to a petition by Agi Bestman, the Coordinator of the Niger Delta MOU/ Corporate Social Responsibilities, on behalf of the aggrieved communities.
In the petition, the villages filed a case accusing Agip and Shell, two of the biggest oil companies, of land-grabbing without providing enough compensation in the form of underpaid rent.
After that, the group traveled to the communities of Biseni Kingdom, Ogbia, Gbaran, and Enebele, where town hall discussions were held with some indigenous people as well as traditional rulers and landowners.
The team toured oil facilities in Biseni Kingdom comprising Idu Well 1,13 & 14 which are operated by Agip, Adibawa Well 1 and Koroama Manifold operated by SPDC, and many others, according to the petroleum ministry.
“During the interactive sessions, the chiefs and some landlords said their family lands were grabbed by the oil companies without adequate compensation or rent paid to the family.
“Some families alleged that they were being paid inadequately while some alleged non-payment at all,” the ministry stated in its statement.
Agip asked for a meeting with the petitioner and the parties he represents to settle their complaints in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
On its part, Shell in a communication with the committee’s Chairman, Busari, promised to send an official request for rescheduling of meetings with the committee due to the non-availability of the relevant top management officers who were at the time of the visit hosting the Nigerian oil and gas conference in Abuja.
