Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri has expressed his displeasure over the alleged taking over of Agip operations in the state, adding that Bayelsa must be giving the first right of refusal in any transaction that concerns the state.
Udengs who stated this on Monday during a press briefing held at his residence in Yenagoa, said Agip is the only company that is close to the people and empowering Bayelsans, adding that a lot of people will be sack as Conoil does not have the capacity to sustain the livelihood in Bayelsa.
He said, “We heard that Conoil is buying over Agip without the consent of Bayelsans. A lot of Bayelsa people will be sacked. We know how they operate. Conoil that have not been able to solve its own problems.
“We have a lot issues in Koloama and other areas they are operating. Is it that company that will now take Agip that has been a major support for the Niger Delta and Ijaw people? The only company that is close to our people and empowering our people, they want to come and take it and bastardize it.
“That is another poverty that is coming, another crisis that will come. What is the government doing? The government is quiet. Don’t forget that all the surveillance they are doing around in Southern Ijaw and the rest is coming from Agip.
“Conoil that is owing banks, is it this that they want to take over and sack our people? We are already hearing that they have sent messages, people that will be dropped. The government must not allow it to happen. Bayelsa State government cannot sit down quiet.”
The LP flag bearer stated that the state government could have made bid for the takeover if it can recapitalise and restrengthen the state-owned Bayelsa oil company, adding that, “we cannot allow deliberately this fraudulent transaction to happen without the state involvement”.
