𝑺𝒍𝒂𝒎 𝑩𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒂’𝒔 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂 𝑶𝒊𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍

We have carefully read and listened to the ongoing discussions and concerns raised by various individuals regarding the issue of pipeline surveillance, particularly the debate around decentralisation versus centralisation. This includes contributions from the former IYC President, Hon. Udenge, and others. It is important to address these matters with clarity and truth, and to set the record straight for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.

𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒛𝒆𝒕𝒖 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑰𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔:

𝟏. 𝐄𝐳𝐞𝐭𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬:

Ezetu and Bilabiri are indeed pipeline communities. The gas pipeline that runs from Tunu to the E/A field offshore cuts through both communities. This pipeline, which also channels to Bonny LNG, is an ongoing project in the region. It’s worth noting that General Boyloaf, who is originally from Ezetu, has a deep connection to this issue, given the significance of these pipelines to the area.

𝟐. 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐳𝐞𝐭𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲:

Ezetu is a host community to several major oil companies, including EA Oil Field, First E&P, Atala Oil Field, NEPL, Renaissance, Agbami, Bonga Oil Field, and more. These companies operate in our area, and their activities significantly impact our local economy.

𝟑. 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬:

All oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta pass through lands leading to the shore and are permitted at floating loading terminals. This reality does not diminish the fact that Ezetu and other communities along these routes are indeed host communities to these oil companies, bearing the brunt of their operations.

𝟒. 𝐄𝐳𝐞𝐭𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬:

Under the current Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Ezetu is officially recognized as a host community, participating in several operational boards, including Renaissance Board, First E&P Board, NEPL Board, and Atala Board. These boards are active, and we continue to engage with them for the welfare of our people.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐘𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐔𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞:

The question arises: How many oil-producing companies are hosted in Hon. Udenge Eradiri's community, and what amount of federal allocation is generated from there? Is Hon. Udenge aware that during President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua's tenure, Lagos State once falsely claimed to be a host of the Agbami and Bonga Oil Fields? It was General Boyloaf who challenged this claim, ensuring that Bayelsa State’s rightful position was recognized, thus increasing our allocation. Has Hon. Udenge forgotten about this?

Hon. Udenge, in all the political offices you have held, what positive contributions have you made to the region other than stirring division and creating problems?

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬:

I am deeply surprised to see Pastor Reuben publicly criticizing General Boyloaf. I say shame on you, Pastor Reuben. Have you forgotten the role General Boyloaf played when you faced serious issues during the Niger Delta struggle? It was General Boyloaf’s efforts that ensured peace in your community. Now, to see you turning against him and engaging in blackmail is truly disappointing.

Pastor Reuben, regarding your comments on pipeline host communities, I ask: Is Port Harcourt your community, where Tompolo made you coordinator? What have you truly contributed to the peace and security of the region?

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞:

To Age John, we will address you soon. It appears you have a short memory, and we will be happy to educate you on the importance of the gas pipeline that cuts through both Ezetu and Bilabiri communities. Your ignorance is not something we take lightly.

𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

Let me make it clear to the Bayelsa State Government: Stay out of this issue and focus on the development of our state. We, the oil-producing communities along the coastline, are not conquered people. We have a right to participate in decisions that affect our land and resources.

Why is it that Tantita Security Services has covered all coastal communities except Ezetu, Ekeni, and Foropa? Yet, you advise us to focus on owning an oil field and then shame us? What have you done to ensure Bayelsa State owns an oil well? Was it not under your leadership that the state’s Atala Oil Field was sold off?

Additionally, are you not aware that Tantita personnel intimidated and arrested Ekeni youths at Pennington River? Is Pennington River not close to Oporoza?

𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫:

Governor, are you comfortable with one individual overseeing the entire Niger Delta and intimidating people in their own communities? Have you asked the Federal Government whether this contract was ever meant to be given to just one person?

As the Chief Security Officer of the state, I urge you to demand an oil well from the Federal Government and manage it yourself, even if only for a year before your tenure ends. Show us that you have the ability to secure resources for the people of Bayelsa.

𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬:

To some of our Niger Delta royal fathers, I must say what we see happening on social media is shameful. Our traditional institutions are being reduced to mere political tools for self-interest. This is completely unacceptable. Before making public statements, royal fathers must verify their facts directly from the Federal Government.

𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨: 

As far as we are concerned, there are no pipelines in Oporoza community. We challenge you to provide the names of the oil companies that Oporoza is hosting. It is not acceptable to extend Itsekiri territory to include Oporoza. We are waiting for your response.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

We, the people of the Niger Delta, call on the Federal Government to immediately intervene and decentralize the pipeline surveillance contract so that peace and security can reign in the region. The contract should be distributed among the major stakeholders in the Niger Delta states, allowing them to oversee the surveillance efforts within their respective territories.

That is what we stand for. We refuse to travel to another kingdom or submit to foreign traditions just to survive. We say No to that. It is time for true decentralization, and it is time for peace in the Niger Delta.

𝐵𝑦 𝐷𝑖𝑏𝑜𝑒𝑚𝑖 𝐼𝑠𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑏𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜 (𝑃𝑠𝑡 𝐽𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑏), 𝑆𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑛 𝐼𝑗𝑎𝑤 𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐸𝑧𝑒𝑡𝑢 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑜𝑚, 𝐵𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑎 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒