The Opu-Nembe community in Nembe-Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Saturday, issued a quit notice to its tenant- Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production limited.
Earlier, the leaders and youths in the community armed with palm leaves had embarked on a protest march to kick against what they saw as ‘a breach of trust’ by the oil company.
At a world press conference, the community leaders accused the oil exploration company of economic strangulation, ecological destruction, contract racketeering and corporate wickedness.
The traditional rulers and chiefs in the kingdom who wore black outfits said it was a symbolic way to announce the death and final burial of the company in the community.
Chief Oriango Oruwari, Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, who addressed the press, said the community has served as a quit notice to Aiteo with effect from November 14, adding, “Aiteo is no longer welcome afterwards.”
He said: “As earlier stated, the incompetent manner this prized asset is operated in had caused several oil spills in our kingdom, some of which are now receiving attention from NOSDRA, following petitions from our lawyers, though they remain uncleared and unremediated over a year after.
“At this rate, the mere remnants of our ecological resources and natural livelihoods may completely vanish during the remaining two and half years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in office, all thanks to Aiteo.
“Consequently, we declare as follows; that the operational license of OML 29 held by Aiteo having expired on the 30 of June, 2019, notwithstanding the illegal secretive renewal by the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, should be relinquished.
“That the Federal government owned Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) should take over the operations of OML 29, pending when a new, competent and community friendly operator takes over.
“That any purported renewal of the lease after 30th June, 2019, when the present lease expired is invalid, and as such Aiteo became a trespasser and persona non grata in Opu Nembe domain and will therefore not be accorded any social license to operate going forward,” he said
Also speaking, Chief Boumonyo Amakiri Duo, a retired permanent secretary, said, “Today is a very big day for the people of Opu Nembe, as you can see all of us wearing black which depicts that something serious has happened, and what has happened is to announce to you the death and burial of Aiteo in Opu Nembe land.
“Anytime you see the Nembe people wear black don, we have lost a rare gem, we have lost somebody , today is to announce to the world that Aiteo is dead and buried in Opu Nembe land, because of their irregularities because of their fraudulent practices, we are tired and we are no longer in this marriage,” he said.
When our reporter contacted Aiteo through one of its spokesmen, he said he was not authorized to speak for the company, saying the company is working on a response to the issues raised by the community. (NAN)
