Bayelsa urges understanding between Shell, host communities

Bayelsa urges understanding between Shell, host communities

Bayelsa State government in south-south Nigeria says it expects high level of cooperation and understanding between Shell and its host communities in order to resolve issues amicably in the event of disputes.

Bayelsa deputy governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, made the statement at a meeting, which was aimed at resolving misunderstanding between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Gbarain Community in Yenagoa.

Mutually beneficial relationship

Report says that Seibarugu frowned at the incessant disagreement between the SPDC and its host communities in the state. 

He said the government had keen interest in the Gbarain/Shell dispute because of its responsibility to ensure that there was mutually beneficial relationship between companies operating in the state and their host communities.

Seibarugu said the meeting was convened with a view to resolving the crisis between SPDC and the community, urging them to be honest in their contributions to achieve the desired results.

He described Gbarain Community as a peaceful area, saying that he had always enjoyed the cooperation of the people.

Speaking earlier, a house member, representing Yenagoa Constituency II in the state's House of Assembly, Mr Ebipadei Fekoweimo, urged the SPDC to take into consideration the environmental and health hazards faced by the people and provide amenities that would adequately compensate the communities.

Demands

The Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, King Funpere Akah, thanked the deputy governor for wading into the dispute between SPDC and Gbarain Community which arose over demands made by the community.

The monarch said that Gbarain Kingdom was a major stakeholder in the history of SPDC, adding that any disagreement between them should be viewed seriously.

He said demands on the SPDC by the people of Gbarain were demands that could be easily met by the oil company, adding that Gbarain Community had over the years, maintained the enabling environment for SPDC to operate.

The Manager, Government and Community Relations of the SPDC, Mr Evans Krukrubo, said the SPDC hoped to use the meeting to seek better understanding and peaceful coexistence with Gbarain Community. 

NAN/Shakira/Williams