Barring any last minute twist, indications have emerged that the over two weeks occupation of Shell flow station in Rivers State by Belema Community members may end in days. The occupation started on August 11, 2017.
This is coming from series of peace overtures brokered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) between the protesting community and Shell authorities in the last few days as the occupation enters critical time. A traditional chief in the community, hinted in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Already, Shell has warned that the extended occupation at the flow station could be endangering not just the protesters, but other communities in the region.
The company’s spokesman, Joseph Obari in a latest statement said, “SPDC is deeply concerned that unauthorised persons – including women and children – have been observed in close proximity to equipment… without the protection of safety clothing”.
He said there was a heightened risk of an oil spill or fire as a result of the protest action because engineers had been unable to prepare machinery for a long-term shutdown.
Godson Egbelekro noted that “We have succeeded in reaching a truce with NNPC,” said. “Within this week there will be a joint inspection… after which we will withdraw all our subjects from the facility. Then SPDC can resume operation.”
‘But the community’s demand that the station be handed to a local company will go unfulfilled — at least for now.
“As far as (the NNPC) are concerned, SPDC is still the company running that facility,” said Egbelekro.
“There is machinery in motion for the handover of the flow station (back to Shell).”
Belema community runs shift between 550 women, 350 men for steady presence at the flow station since August 11, this year.
The protesters are calling on Shell to either leave the community or develop a realistic development plan that will impact positively on their lives.
The struggle culminated to taking hostage of the flow station by hundreds of people who stormed the station, demanding the oil giant leave the area over its alleged failure to improve their lives.
Though Shell had raised the military presence to 30 extra soldiers to monitor the situation, according to a State Security agent, it has insisted that it has invested in social welfare and created jobs, through its GMoU policy.
However, the oil giant claimed that intracommunity struggles have been frustrating several efforts to develop the community.
Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria’s (SPDC) external relations manager Igo Weli, argued that “Legal tussles and disputes among the oil-producing communities (have) made it impossible for Shell to implement planned development projects for the communities”.
According to him, Shell still managed to invest 600 million naira ($1.7 million) to improve schools, infrastructure and health provision in both Belema and neighbouring Kula in the past 10 years.
However, development economist experts say the community has none the less suffered from chronic neglect and been preyed upon by pirates who cruise the regions’ waterways in search of boats and valuables.
