Bayelsa State Government Resolves Oil Well Dispute Between Egweama Nembe and Elepa Communities;
The Bayelsa State Government has successfully mediated a dispute between the Egweama Nembe and Elepa communities in Brass and Nembe local government areas concerning the ownership of the Elepa 1 and 2 oil wells.
Both communities have agreed to a temporary resolution proposed by the state government, aiming to maintain peace and security while awaiting the outcome of ongoing litigation.
The Elepa oilfields are currently operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, which acquired the facilities after divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
During a meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, announced the government's endorsement of a sharing formula recommended by the Irorodamie Komonibo-led committee, which was established last year to mediate the dispute.
Under the adopted formula, the Elepa community will receive 40% of all royalties, employment opportunities, and contractual jobs from Renaissance Africa Energy Company. Egweama and Nembe communities will each be allocated 30%.
Furthermore, Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo directed that the three contractors currently engaged by the company under its Free To Operate system for the supply of a tug boat, swamp buggy, and crew boat should consolidate their contracts and share profits according to the new formula.
Ewhrudjakpo commended the community leaders for their composure and emphasized that the government's decision prioritizes peace among the feuding communities.
He urged them to encourage their constituents, particularly the youth, to uphold the existing peace and patiently await the Court of Appeal's judgment on the ownership of the disputed oil wells.
"We have carefully studied the recommendations in the report submitted by the committee we set up sometime last year to look into your dispute, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo. As a government, we have adopted the recommendation. So going forward, the Elepa community will have 40 per cent while Egwema and Nembe will get 30 per cent each, pending when the court will give judgment on the ownership case," Senator Ewhrudjakpo stated.
He added that the decision was reached after thorough consideration of various factors and is in the best interest of the communities and the state.
Responding on behalf of their respective communities, Chief Bright Ereware-Igbeta, Chairman of the Nembe Council of Chiefs; Chief Gelegukuma Apiri, Paramount Ruler of Elepa Community; and Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha, CDC Chairman of Egweama Community, expressed appreciation for the state government's efforts to ensure peace.
They acknowledged the new parameters for employment and contracts and committed to maintaining peace, emphasizing that peace is invaluable.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Bayelsa State Government, represented by the Deputy Governor, and representatives from the three communities.