Seven years after Belema OML25 facilities were shut down by Kula, Belema, and Offoinama communities, the indigenes of the affected communities have given fresh conditions to Shell for re-entrance to the oil facilities.
The Belema OML25 produces 200,000 barrels per day , bpd, of crude oil before the facilities were shut down by the aggrieved communities over what it described as neglect and abandonment by the operators of the facilities.
Speaking to Daily Trust on the sideline of the meeting between Shell and Belema communities in Port Harcourt, the spokesman for the affected communities, His Highness, Anabs Sara-Igbe, said host communities of OML25, have called on Shell to fulfill longstanding development promises before resuming operations in the area.
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe emphasised that the delay in reopening Shell’s OML25 facility is not the fault of the communities but rather as a result of Shell’s failure to meet agreements made over the years.
He said the meeting, which had representatives from Kula, Ofoin-Ama, Belema, and other surrounding communities, focused on the 8-point agreement made with Belemaoil, a local partner, which he said outlines key development goals, including employment, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Sara-Igbe stressed that despite decades of oil production—over 200,000 barrels per day for more than 60 years—local communities have seen no tangible benefits, including roads, hospitals, electricity, or water.
“The communities also called for a firm commitment to an operation and maintenance contract between Shell and Belemaoil, with provisions for local participation in security and community development.
“We are not troublemakers, but we will not allow Shell to continue operating without fulfilling its promises,”
“While the communities have agreed to provide security for the facility, this is contingent on Shell’s compliance with the development agreements.”
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