The Bayelsa government has warned against a planned protest on December 26th in Nembe Basambiri, Nembe Local Government Area, which it says could disrupt oil production at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Chief Ayiba Duba, the government emphasized that youth and chiefs’ council activities remain suspended in the area due to a past violent crisis.
The statement further warned that the security agencies have been alerted to the potential for disruption and will take necessary measures to prevent it.
“The attention of the Bayelsa government has been drawn to a planned protest on Dec. 26 by some individuals in Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of the state, who have constituted themselves into youth and chiefs councils.
“The public should note that activities of these individuals are in violation of the subsisting suspension placed on all youth and chiefs’ councils’ activities in Bassambiri, at the wake of a violent crisis traceable to the unwholesome conduct of the youth body and chiefs’ council in the area in August.
“The protest being planned by these individuals against Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company will not only disrupt activities of the company but also breach the peace, undermine public order and safety as well as possible destruction of oil and gas infrastructure in the state,” it said.
The government said that the planned protest is not only a violation of the law but also a potential threat to the state’s oil revenue and the Nigerian economy.
“The protest being planned by these individuals against Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company will not only disrupt activities of the company but also breach the peace, undermine public order and safety as well as possible destruction of oil and gas infrastructure in the state,” the statement warns.
The Bayelsa government further explained that the planned protest is unnecessary as Aiteo has recently implemented alternative means of oil production, mitigating the impact of previous vandalism on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line.
“Therefore, government wishes to warn those involved in this attempt to undermine the public peace in Nembe under the guise of protest against oil companies, to abort it immediately as there will be consequence for any unruly conduct.
“Meanwhile, all security agencies in the state have been put on red alert and will not hesitate to do everything within their means to prevent infraction in Nembe and indeed the entire state.
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” it added.
NAN
