The Aja-Osolo Community has stated that all Conoil Operations in Obodo Field, OML150 in Warri South Council Area of Delta State are located exclusively on their land and not on any other community land.
Reacting to a petition addressed to His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse 111, CFR, the Olu of Warri Kingdom in an Online publication by an armophous group describing the peaceful protest by Aja-Osolo indigenes against Conoil Operations as disruptive, the community leadership stated that with the coming into force of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Regulations thereto, Host Communities are those situated or appurtenant to the operations of an Oil Company, Setlor.
In a statement by Counsel to Aja-Osolo Community, Austin Oboroegbeyi Esq.
“Conoil Producing Limited Operations in OML 150 is only in Obodo Field with a Flow Station, a Tank Farm and producing Oil Wells that are located exclusively in Aja Osolo Land”, noting that the people of Aja Osolo are therefore insisting on their rights as provided by relevant Laws.
He expressed regret that the Daily Independent Online report of March 15, 2024 “targeted at Chief Billy Besigiwa was misplaced as the protest is not a disruptive action but a peaceful step that became necessary after several demands on Conoil Producing Limited to implement the present framework, governance and institutions for the development of Host Communities to Oil Companies (Setlors) as stated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the Regulations thereto, 2022 fell on deaf ears”.
“It is quite unfortunate that the Petitioners are still living in the past time of the defunct Forum of Seven Communities when each had at least one Oil Facility”, emphasing that as at today, Conoil Producing Limited Operations in OML 150 is only in Obodo Field with a Flow Station, a Tank Farm and Producing Oil Wells that are located exclusively in Aja-Osolo Community.
