The people of Ogbotobo Community in Bayelsa State, under the umbrella of Concerned Youths of Ogbotobo (CYO), have reiterated their two-week ultimatum for Jomason House-boat to vacate the Agbayama location in the community.
This was in response to a statement from a group named Eagle’s Eye Bloc, which countered the community’s claims about Jomason’s operations and its duration in the area.
In a statement signed by Spokesman of the community, Comrade Akeme Moses, the CYO defended its position, asserting that Jomason’s House-boat has been active in the community since the mid-90s, prior to official taking on contracts from Shell (now Renaissance).
They criticised the company for failing to adhere to the Local Content Act, which mandates that communities benefit from the operations of companies in their area.
The CYO’s statement addressed several points made by the Eagle’s Eye Bloc, particularly regarding the company’s contributions to its host community.
They claimed that no indigenes from Ogbotobo have been employed by Jomason since the onset of its operations in the Ogbotobo oil field.
They further disputed allegations that Jomason paid annual royalties or provided significant support to the Aviaware family, the traditional landowners of the creek housing the Ogbotobo flow station.
The CYO emphasised that their two-week ultimatum was issued with broad community support and consultations with various authorities resulting from the acknowledgement of letters sent to ensure that their demands were recognised by the relevant governmental and military institutions.
In their concluding remarks, the CYO expressed their intention to engage in a peaceful protest following the expiration of the ultimatum, which according to them, was sacrosanct.
They reaffirmed their stance against Jomason House-boat, stating that the company has failed to provide tangible benefits to its host community, calling for a local contractor to take over its operations.
As the deadline approaches, the Ogbotobo Community remains steadfast in its demand for justice and adherence to the Local Content Act, urging all parties involved to respect their community’s rights and needs.
