Oil Communities Demand Right of First Refusal Before Shell’s Assets’ Sale

Registered trustees of the Community Development Committees of Oil and Gas Producing Areas of Niger Delta (CDCOGPAND) have demanded a right of first refusal by indigenous people from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) before selling off its crude oil drilling business and facilities in the Niger Delta region.

The group, in a letter signed by its lawyer, George Emiko and addressed to the Managing Director of SPDC, also demanded for financial reparations for the indigenes, occupants and local business owners within the region where the company explored crude oil from.

In the letter made available to THISDAY yesterday, CDCOGPAND insisted that the people who were direct victims of Shell's operation must be given foremost consideration before its exit.

The letter read this "We are Solicitors to Mr. Joseph Ambakaderemo, Mr. Augustine Iyamu and Rev. Diamond Emuobor, registered trustees of the Community Development Committees of Oil and Gas Producing Areas of Niger Delta (CDCOGPAND) hereinafter referred to as our clients.

The group therefore demanded: "Immediate clean-up of all communities affected by oil spill from your drilling facilities and pipelines across the Niger-Delta or evidence of the inclusion of the said clean-up as a liability acquired by your proposed successors in your terms of the sale.

"Financial reparation for the indigenes, occupants and local business owners within the Niger-Delta areas where you explore crude oil. Right of first refusal by the Niger Delta states, indigenes and indigenous companies of the areas of your operations of the acquisition of your drilling business, facilities, properties and related assets".

Emiko and Associates maintained that unless Shell revert to its clients regarding the demands within 14 days, it has the instruction of the clients to commence legal proceedings in court against the company and/ or its prospective buyers to seek to restrain it from perfecting its the sale.