Delta Community Shuts Down Conoil OML 150 Flow Station Operations over non implementation of PIA

By Emma Arubi 

Hundreds of protesting Aja-Osolo indigenes in Warri South Council Area of Delta State has shut down the operation of Conoil OML 150 field over non recognition and implementation of the P.I.A provisions as it affect them as the main host.

Speaking to newsmen at the flow station on Monday, the Osolo of Warri Kingdom, Chief Billy Besigiwa said that the community has written series of letters to Conoil and all relevant authorities on the matter without any result thus forcing them into taking this action.

The Aja-Osolo community head (Olara-aja) represented by Mr. Felix Onire; Mr. Felix Elete, the Youth chairman; Madam Mercy Kikiarun the women leader and a community leader, Mr. Johnson Onire who spoke on the vex matter all expressed regret that after providing Conoil the conducive working environment to operate smoothly they decided to reward their peaceful disposition with utter disregard and disdain.

They vowed to remain in the company premises until Conoil grants their request, insisting that if Conoil can negotiate with communities in the West and nearby Bayelsa state  why are they not willing to negotiate with Aja-Osolo community, they queried.

The leaders insisted that Conoil encroached on their land without any negotiation with tham, saying “the company is only trying to deliberately ignite trouble and we shall give it to them”.

The community leaders said the peaceful protest is just to draw the attention of the government at all levels to intervene in the matter and call Conoil to order before things fall apart.

Even as the protest continues in the presence of the military men, no staff of Conoil came out to address the protesters in spite of the presence of newsmen.

According to Chief Billy, “this is their usual practice in dealing with our request and without regards”.

They insisted that Conoil must operate within the ambit of the Law and provisions of the P.I.A regulations.

According to them, “we will not allow them to operate further. They are up-grading from a flow Station into a full Tank Farm and yet treating us the host community as insignificant entity. It can not be business as usual again” they warned.

The peaceful protesters bore placards bearing inscription such as”Conoil We Want PIA”, “No PIA No Operation”, “Government We Want PIA” respectively noting that “Conoil has taken our simplicity for stupidity for too long.