The Federal Government has launched an investigation into complaints of land grabbing by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State against some international oil companies - the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company.
The investigative team led by Engr Kamoru Busari, the Director of Upstream Department at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and officials of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigerian Police and the Bayelsa State Government, embarked on a fact-finding mission to Biseni, Enebele, Ogbia and Gbaran Communities in Bayelsa State.
A statement issued on Monday by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja said the probe was in response to a petition by Agi Bestman, the Coordinator of the Niger Delta MOU, Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) 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 Commissioner and Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Yenagoa, the state capital
Thereafter, the team proceeded to Biseni Kingdom, Ogbia, Gbaran, and Enebele Community, 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 & 14 which are operated by Agip, and Adibawa Well 1 and Koroama Manifold operated by SPDC, and many others.
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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 alleged being paid inadequately while some alleged non-payment at all.
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 a communication with the committee's Chairman, Engr Busari, promised to send an official request for rescheduling of meetings with the committee due to 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.
