As the planned sale of the Bayelsa State Oil Company Limited (BOCL) by the state government continues to generate controversy, a renowned social and environmental activist has called on members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to intervene, deliberate and take a drastic decision on the issue.
Straightnews had on September 19 published an exclusive story headlined: Alleged Plans By Dickson to sell Bayelsa Oil Firm Shares foiled” and quoted Barr Orua Mark, secretary/legal adviser to BOCL, alleging plans by Governor Seriake Dickson to sell shares in the government-owned company.
Mr. Morris Alagoa, in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Yenagoa, urged the state government to jettison the idea of selling the said oil field at the twilight of her exit, advising the present government to leave discussions concerning BOCL for the next administration.
It was learned that the state government is proposing to sell 41 percent out of the BOCL’s 51 percent participating interest in the Atala marginal Oil Field together with its operatorship to Halkin Global Investment Limited.
The activist said “out of 41 percent, you are selling 51, what is remaining? It is 10 percent. That is why we are calling on the state assembly to come into the matter.
“They are the people representing the various constituencies in the state. They need to hear about it and make approval or if possible, organize a public hearing on the issue. How can they sell an oil company belonging to the state, it is just unfortunate.”
When our reporter contacted Mr. Fidelis Soriwe, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor for comments on the issue, he said his boss should be left out of the matter, stating that TNN should rather seek the reaction of the Managing Director of the BOCL.
However, Chief Solomon Agwana, Chairman of the board, said in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Thursday that there was no truth in the allegation.
The statement reads in part: The attention of the Board of Directors and Management of the Bayelsa Oil Company Limited (BOCL) has been drawn to a news report on an online medium wherein unfounded allegations were levelled against the Managing Director of our company.
“The report, sadly, ignored the time-honoured journalistic best practice of cross-checking facts and getting potentially opposing views before publication.
“The said medium quoted copiously from a letter allegedly written by Consider Oruah to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of BOCL wherein the petitioner complained about a purported sale of interests in BOCL and its assets.”
According to him, though we are currently in negotiations to alter our relationship with existing partners and in discussion with prospective investors, the allegations in the publication are false. “Besides, I did not receive any such letter from the said Consider Oruah. BOCL has also not sold its shares or property.
“BOCL embodies the aspirations of the entire people of Bayelsa State regarding control and management of her resources. In line with this, BOCL has partnered with companies and will continue to seek out credible investors to work with to produce its assets and grow its reserves and asset base as every forward thinking company will do.
“Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in Nigeria and our focus in BOCL is to acquire more of these assets for the benefit of our people. We therefore urge all to treat the report as idle gossip.
“We are grateful for the continued support of the Government of Bayelsa State, especially in these trying times as we reaffirm our commitment to the upliftment of the lives and livelihood of all Bayelsans!” he added.
