The people of Twon Brass Kingdom in Bayelsa State have once again staged a peaceful protest against Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, an indigenous oil firm operating the NNPC-Aiteo Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 joint venture.
According to the protesting natives, Aiteo’s vessels carrying crude oil constantly ply the Brass River daily but the company has refused to dialogue with the community leadership to discuss royalties, jobs and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Mangrovepen.ng had in November 2023 reported a similar protest was organised in the community where the indigenes called out the oil production firm for allegedly failing to properly engage the community over its operations in the Brass River.
Another protest was staged in the company’s head office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday 11th December 2023 by the indigenes, wherein they called out the company to be alive to its social responsibility to Twon Brass as a host community.
The aggrieved protesters said they would take drastic actions against Aiteo the next time they come out for a demonstration if the company fails to meet with and negotiate with the Twon Brass leadership.
The protest which was staged on the community’s jetty near the river was witnessed by various security agents operating in the area.
“The River the Aiteo tankers are plying is our river, we are Izon people and we know what it takes to do the needful, Aiteo shouldn’t push us to the wall because if they do, we will retaliate,” warned the Twon Brass Youth president, Mr. Abbey Kalio Emmanuel.
According to him, “If they don’t want to come to the negotiation table with Twon Brass Kingdom, they shouldn’t pass through our waterways because there are so many other waterways through which they can ply.
“My youths are angry and a time will come when I’ll not be able to calm their tempers and, even if I could, I will not.”
“We are calling on the federal, state and local governments to ensure Aiteo does the needful and we are just giving them a two-week ultimatum to do so else, my youths and I will be out to obstruct the movement of Aiteo tankers on our river.
Similarly, Chief Christian John-Ondi,
Chairman of the Twon Brass Kingdom Council of Chiefs, while addressing the Divisional Police Office (DPO) of Brass Division, CSP Gold Akponfagha at the protest ground lamented Aiteo’s disposition towards holding a meeting with the community over its demands.
In his words: “Before now, we’ve been to Port Harcourt over this same issue, including staging our first protest a few months back for which they responded and scheduled a meeting in December.
“Since then they’ve been going back and forth over having talks with the community. They finally said February and the month is ending already with no sign of readiness on their part.
“We are registering our grievances for the last time, you heard the youths, everyone is angry. We are ready to sacrifice everything on this issue. ”
John-Ondi who said the issue is still less dicey because of the law-abiding nature of the Twon Brass people, stated that Aiteo’s attitude towards the community is unacceptable.
He tasked the security agencies to intervene in the issue as well as relay the community’s stance to the oil company to avoid imminent trouble.
“I believe if Twon Brass were to be some community, we would have already experienced violence and disaster but we are law-abiding people. Maybe that’s why they are taking us for granted.
While bemoaning the depressing inflation coupled with the high unemployment rate in the country, he opined that “Aiteo can help employ some of our youths to work in their vessels to ease the suffering.”
The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Twon Brass, Mr. Ben Obuala also expressed anger over Aiteo’s alleged refusal to negotiate, saying it does not speak well of the oil giant.
“This is the third time we have staged a protest for this cause, Aiteo is disregarding Twon Brass community and it is sad,” he said.
Later, CSP Gold Akponfagha while addressing the aggrieved protesters called for calm, after thanking them for opting for a peaceful demonstration instead of violence.
He further assured them of taking the matter to higher authorities with a promise of getting back to them with answers.
“Once, there are issues like this, some tend to get violent but I thank you because you have demonstrated civility in expressing your grievances.
“I’ve heard you. Being the DPO representing the Police here in Brass Local Government. I will take up the matter and pass it to the Commissioner of Police.
“Either today or tomorrow I’ll move to Yenagoa with your complaint. I’ll table it before him, whatever thing he tells me I’ll come back and let you know,” the police chief said.
It would be recalled that Aiteo announced the introduction of the Nembe crude oil grade to the international oil market late last year.
The announcement signalled the commencement of activities at Nigeria’s newest crude oil terminal, the Nembe Crude Oil Export Terminal (NCOET), which involves the company carrying its crude oil vessels through the Brass River.
All efforts made to get Aiteo’s reaction while filing this report proved abortive.
