The mineral-bearing communities said it would not hesitate
to drag the oil company to court if it fails to respond to the yearnings of the
people as contained in the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, report
and the agreement with the Federal Government.
In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of SPDC on
January 24, 2024, by its solicitor, Emiko & Associates, the oil communities
said SPDC must give the indigenes and indigenous contractors from the region
the right of first refusal to buy its assets and facilities.
It said: “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.
“It came to our clients’ notice that your company has made
arrangements to sell off its crude oil drilling business and facilities
onshore, and in shallow waters, but currently awaits the approval of the
Federal Government.
“We are informed by our clients that owing to the notoriety
of the socio-economic damage occasioned by your exploration and related
activities in several communities and the people of Niger-Delta where you
operate and their call for you to abate same, the United Nations and the
Federal Government of Nigeria mandated you to clean up these communities and
compensate the indigenes and occupants thereto.
“We are further informed by our clients that while they
await the execution of the above directive, unknown to them, you were
negotiating the sale of your drilling business and facilities.”
The group, however, demand the “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.”