Peace Returns, As OML25 Flow Station In Belema, Rivers State Reopens

Amid pomp, the controversial OML25 flow station in Belema, a riverine area of Rivers State, Nigeria, has finally reopened for production two years after it was shut down by women and youths of the host communities.

The events that saw the reopening of the flow station, where 35,000 barrels of oil being produced on a daily basis, was a long drawn battle between the host communities and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SDPC) of Nigeria.

The Belema Flow Station, located in Kula Kingdom of Rivers state, was shut down by the host communities of Belema, Offoin-Ama and Ngeje on 11 August, 2017 in protest over unresolved issues with Shell Oil ranging from unmitigated neglect, marginalization, impoverishment, enslavement, degradation of the environment by oil pollution.

The communities have alleged pathetic situation which saw the areas being completely impoverished, while battling with terminal diseases as a result of the highly polluted water which people have been drinking. The farm lands polluted with massive oil spill, social lives battered and deranged as a result of SPDC’s divide and rule operating style, empowering one group that sees their ill-operations as good to fighting those who are opposed to their unfair and wicked operating pattern.

Speaking, at the reopening ceremony President and Founder of Belemaoil, Engr. Jack-Rich Tein-Jr. said all issues that led to the closure of the flow station have been laid to rest.

“I can assure you that we have entered a new agreement and all your interests are captured in the negotiations to commence production,” Jack-Rich told the delighted communities.

In his remark, Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, sued for peace amongst the communities in order to woo investors that will usher in jobs for the teeming youths.

“We just came to you that you are not alone, the federal government is with you. We will support you at every step of the way. We need unity in oil bearing communities as fighting will do us no good and now that federal government has started looking your way, it is time for us to change strategy and ensure that we beginning to reap the benefits of investment in our communities.

“If we don’t make our communities peaceful investment cannot come, the investors are ready to come here and without investors there’ll be no jobs for our youths. Unfortunately, in some cases there is no peace. It is our responsibility now to bring peace to our communities so that these investors can come and create the jobs,” Sylva said.

Also on his part, Mr. Mele Kari Group Managing Director, NNPC, said the reopening of the facility is a frontier to a better deal on social investments for the host communities.

He said: “After two years of dispute and disagreement, we have found solution and this solution will enable people to go back to their work, employment opportunities will be created, social service that ought to come with these activities will be restored.

“We had a shutdown of the Belema flow station for over two years, leading to the loss of over 35,000 barrels of oil per day.  Over $1.7bn which could have been put to use for the benefit of the community and the rest of the federation.”

“We have engaged the communities and Shell to make sure that this dispute between them is brought to an end. The communities have agreed to vacate the facility to allow petroleum operations to continue.”

In the reopening negotiations, SPDC remains the leaseholder and operator of OML 25 while Belemaoil Company Limited will handle maintenance, employment and Surveillance of the facility.

Mr. Jack-Rich said Belemaoil and Shell will jointly address the developmental and socio-economic needs of the Host Communities.

The ceremony was witnessed by some dignitaries and traditional rules in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

There was also a ground breaking of the Belemaoil Headquarters and commissioning of portable water scheme for the people of Kula Kingdom.