Niger Delta paying dearly for agitation — Sylva

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, yesterday, said agitation has cost Niger Delta more than it has gained, noting that the successful resolution of the conflict between host communities of OML 25 and Shell Petroleum Development Company should mark a starting point to change the narrative in Rivers State. 

The minister stated this when the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, and the Managing Director of Shell, Osagie Okunbo, and others visited the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

He said some people were deliberately fuelling problems for business opportunities to leave Rivers State, saying now is the right time for all stakeholders to work for more investors to come into the state.

Wike in his remarks, charged oil companies to respect the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed with the host communities to ensure peaceful and productive operations, as his administration would continue to develop the right environment investors to operate.

Meanwhile, Kula Community in Akuku Toru Local Council was agog, as Silva, Kyari, Okunbo, and the President of Belema Oil Producing Limited, Tein Jack Rich Jr., reopened the embattled OML 25 shutdown over two years ago for alleged neglect.

Earlier at the facility, which was occupied by women, Rich Jnr explained to them that their interest had been captured in the agreement and demands for the reopening signed last week.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Silva expressed happiness that they were in the state to celebrate the return of peace to the OML 25 and the host communities. 

On June 22, 2019, Rivers State Governor Wike initiated a peace talk between aggrieved Kula communities and Shell for the re-opening of OML 25.