Protesters Denies Shell Staffs Access To Facility Over Company's Disregard Of 7days Ultimatum Earlier Issued By Host Community -

Coastal News

Following the expiration of a 7-day ultimatum given to SPDC Shell, members of the Aghoro ll Gborou Community, Shell’s host community, blocked Shell’s only access road to the KP29 Manifold line at Ramos River, in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, with timbers and woods in the early hours of Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

Chairman of the host community Aghoro ll Gborou, Chief. Ebikeseye Odibo, Secretary Mr. Ekoboye Sunday, and Adviser, Chief. Doctor Bousine, spoke to newsmen in Warri about the development, saying the blockage of the creek became necessary as a result of Shell’s refusal to honor the 7-day ultimatum given to meet with the host community and settle their differences amicably in a round table discussion.

The trio reiterated that if Shell tries to intimidate them using security officers, the community leadership will have no choice but to shut down the company’s operations totally without delay.

The host community, the Gborou family Aghoro ll, had previously issued a 7-day ultimatum to Shell on March 31, 2022, in order for Shell to meet with the community in order to settle the warring factions, but Shell purposefully refused, undermining their demands.

The community made Shell realize in the ultimatum that Aghoro ll Community has a Kingship tussle as well as Chairmanship tussle, and that Shell should stop engaging with anyone and cease operations in the community until the situation is settled.

It also urged Shell to pay the community’s two-year benefits and entitlements, as well as to remove the army gunboats stationed in Aghoro ll Gborou to intimidate residents.

However, the community has issued a strong warning to Shell, requesting that it cease all operations within the Aghoro ll Gborou Community until all outstanding issues are resolved. The government should hold Shell accountable for any consequences or breaches of law and order in society as a result of failing to follow the instruction, according to the statement.