The Federal Government has launched an investigation into complaints from oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State accusing the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company of land grabbing.

To unravel the truth, an investigative team led by the Director of Upstream Department at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Engr Kamoru Busari, and officials of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Bayelsa State Government have embarked on a fact-finding mission to Biseni, Enebele, Ogbia, and Gbaran Communities in Bayelsa State.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on Monday, July 15, 2024, said the probe was in response to a petition by the Coordinator of the Niger Delta MOU, Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), Agi Bestman, on behalf of the aggrieved communities.

In the petition, the communities accused the two oil giants – Agip and Shell – of land grabbing without adequate compensation in the form of underpayment of tenancy rent.

The experts commenced the exercise with a meeting with top Bayelsa State Government officials, including the State Commissioner and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources in Yenagoa, the state capital.

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Thereafter, the team proceeded to Biseni Kingdom, Ogbia, Gbaran, and Enebele communities, where townhall meetings were held with traditional rulers, landlords, and some indigenes

The team toured oil facilities in Biseni Kingdom comprising Idu Well 1, 13, and 14 which are operated by Agip, and Adibawa Well 1 and Koroama Manifold operated by SPDC, among others.

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

Some families also alleged being paid inadequately while some alleged non-payment.

Agip, in a letter to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, requested a meeting with the petitioner and the groups he represents with the aim of resolving their grievances.

On its part, Shell in communication with the committee’s chairman, Engr Busari,  promised to send an official request for rescheduling of meetings with the committee due to the non-availability of the relevant top management officers who were at the time of the visit hosting the Nigerian oil and gas conference in Abuja.

The Star