More resistance hits Shell’s divestment as stakeholders seek leeway

THE projected divestment of the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company ( SPDC) has been met with fresh resistance from Ijaw women as stakeholders in the oil and gas sector seek leeway.

Coming under the Coalition of Ijaw Women Voices, the women warned prospective investors planning to buy against buying “agitation and resistance of the people.”

Leader of the group and foremost Niger Delta Activist, Ann- Kio Briggs, warned that any attempt to buy the facility without the full participation of the Ijaw People, would be a wasteful investment.

SPDC had announced the intention to sell its onshore assets to a consortium of five oil exploration and production companies known as Renaissance African Energy.

Briggs in a communiqué by the group, described the idea as dubious, deplorable, and unacceptable.

The Niger Delta activist maintained that the people in whose communities, creeks, swamps, mangroves and water the assets are domiciled must have first right of refusal, arguing that they should be allowed to express a desire to participate and to be included in the options of purchase and ownership to assert their right.

She said: “The international oil companies and the federal government continue to test our resolve for justice, equity and freedom.

“This latest attempt to sell off the onshore assets in our territory is yet another attempt to enslave, continue to impoverish our people and steal the future of our children.

“The prospective buyer or buyers of these assets and other consortia must be reminded that the stakeholders of these assets are the people of the Niger Delta Region. There is a local content act.”