FG probes Agip, Shell over ‘land grabbing’ in Bayelsa communities

The federal government says it has launched a probe on some international oil companies (IOCs) over complaints of land-grabbing by oil producing communities in Bayelsa.

In a statement on Monday, the ministry of petroleum resources, said the companies are the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). 

According to the ministry, the probe is in response to a petition by Agi Bestman, the coordinator of the Niger Delta MOU/Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), on behalf of the aggrieved communities.

The ministry said the investigative team was led by Kamoru Busari, its director of upstream department. 

Officials from the office of the surveyor-general of the federation, the Nigerian police, and the Bayelsa state government, constitute members of the team.

The team, according to the ministry, would embark on a fact-finding mission to Biseni, Enebele, Ogbia, and Gbaran communities in the state.

In their petition, the ministry said, the communities had accused the two oil giants, — Agip and Shell — of land-grabbing without adequate compensation in the form of underpayment of tenancy rent.

According to the ministry, the investigative team commenced the exercise with a meeting with top Bayelsa state government officials.

“Thereafter, the team proceeded to Biseni Kingdom, Ogbia, Gbaran, and Enebele Communities, where town hall meetings were held with traditional rulers, landlords and some indigenes,” the ministry said.

“The team toured oil facilities in Biseni Kingdom comprising Idu Well 1,13 & 14, operated by Agip, and the Adibawa Well 1 and Koroama Manifold, operated by SPDC, and many others.

“During the interactive sessions, the chiefs and some landlords said the oil companies grabbed their family lands without adequate compensation or rent paid to the family.”

The ministry said some families alleged that they were being paid inadequately, while some said no payment was made at all.

“However, Agip, in a letter to the ministry, requested a meeting with the petitioner and the groups they represented, with the aim of resolving their grievances,” the statement reads. 

The ministry quoted Shell as assuring the committee’s chairperson that it would send an official request for rescheduled meetings with the committee.

According to the ministry, Shell said the rescheduling was due to the non-availability of key management officers, who were hosting a Nigerian oil and gas conference in Abuja at the time of the visit.