By LUCY OGALUE

The Federal Government has launched an investigation into the complaints of land-grabbing by oil producing communities in Bayelsa against some International Oil Companies (IOCs).

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday, adding that the companies involved are the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

According to the ministry, the probe is in response to a petition by Agi Bestman, the Coordinator of the Niger Delta MoU, Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) on behalf of the aggrieved communities.

The ministry also disclosed that the investigative team was led by Kamoru Busari, the Director of Upstream Department at the ministry.

Officials from Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigerian Police and the Bayelsa State Government are the other members of the team.

The team would embark on a fact-finding mission to Biseni, Enebele, Ogbia and Gbaran Communities in Bayelsa.

The communities had In their petition accused the two oil giants – Agip and Shell of land-grabbing without adequate compensation in the form of underpayment of tenancy rent.

According to the ministry, the investigative team has commenced the exercise with a meeting with top Bayelsa government officials, including the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Yenagoa, the state capital.

“Thereafter, the team proceeded to Biseni Kingdom, Ogbia, Gbaran, and Enebele Communities, where townhall meetings were held with traditional rulers, landlords and some indigenes.

“The team toured oil facilities in Biseni Kingdom comprising Idu Well 1,13 & 14 which are operated by Agip, and the Adibawa Well 1 and Koroama Manifold, operated by SPDC, and many others.

“During the interactive sessions, the chiefs and some landlords said their family lands were grabbed by the oil companies without adequate compensation or rent paid to the family.

“Some families alleged that they were being paid inadequately, while some alleged that no payment was made at all.

“However, Agip, in a letter to the ministry, requested a meeting with the petitioner and the groups they represented, with the aim of resolving their grievances.”

The ministry quoted Shell as assuring the committee’s chairman that it would send an official request for rescheduled meetings with the committee.

Shell had said that the rescheduling was due to non-availability of the relevant top management officers who were at the time of the visit hosting the Nigerian Oil and Gas conference in Abuja. (NAN)

•PHOTO: Some members of oil producing communities in Bayelsa after their meeting with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, following allegation of land-grabbing against some International Oil Companies (IOCs)

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