The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), representing Ijaw youths globally, has issued a stern warning of potential renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta region.
The warning is in response to the purported sale of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) onshore assets, emphasizing the necessity for compliance with the Local Content Act during the sales process. In a statement released by the IYC spokesperson, Binebai Princewill, the group raised concerns about the consortiums involved in the purchase and urged them to avoid adopting the flawed process allegedly modified by Shell.
The IYC emphasized that Shell must be held accountable for the environmental damage and mistreatment of stakeholders throughout its 70 years of operation in the region. Specifically addressing Renaissance Africa Energy and other consortiums, the IYC warned against proceeding with the acquisition without proper consultation and inclusion of indigenous Ijaw companies and critical stakeholders from the region. The statement conveyed a firm stance:
“The IYC is daring Shell and its collaborators to go on with this process without involving the local people whose areas these onshore assets are located and watch the grave negative impact these will cost the oil and gas industry.
“Highlighting the demand for fair participation and inclusion of local entities, the Ijaw people declared their unwillingness to accept second-class treatment in the process.
The statement concluded with a warning that any attempt to disregard the participation of local communities would be met with stiff resistance.
PENGASSAN Challenges Sale of SPDC Onshore Assets to Renaissance Group
In a related development, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has voiced opposition to the planned sale of SPDC Onshore Assets to the Renaissance Group.
PENGASSAN Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, criticized the consortium, claiming it comprises unknown entities lacking a proven track record in managing diverse assets. Okugbawa’s statement issued yesterday threatened significant resistance within the oil and gas industry if the assets’ transfer proceeds without addressing issues affecting PENGASSAN members.
The union communicated its rejection of terms affecting employees as presented by Shell management in the planned sale. PENGASSAN placed industry regulators, JV Asset Partners (NNPCL, Non-Operated Asset Partners), and other stakeholders on notice, singling out Renaissance as a consortium comprising ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings. The Petrol Group, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, and the Waltersmith Group. The statement from PENGASSAN concluded by asserting its firm stance against any attempt to transfer the assets without resolution of employee-related concerns, promising the stiffest resistance ever witnessed in the oil and gas industry.
Credit: The guardian