Shell, Ijaw Communities Settle Rift
By Francis Onoiribholo
 28th NOV 2006

• FG Approves $14m for Projects

Shell plans to resume next week its long abandoned operations in the Warri area, the spin off of a peace meeting it had at the weekend with the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC), security agents, Delta State Government and host communities.

It came with the approval by President Olusegun Obasanjo of $14 million to provide a hospital, a health centre, 24 generators, and drinking water in the creeks.

The hospital will be built in an Ijaw community, the health centre in an Itsekiri area, and 15 of the generators – which have already been bought – will be given to the Ijaw, six to the Itsekiri.

A road project from Mbanfa to Madagho in Gbaramatu, which will cost about N21 billion, will be undertaken jointly by Abuja and Delta as quickly as possible.

Shell has already provided the communities with rehabilitation materials.

Before the commencement of operations next week, a joint inspection visitation (JIV) by Shell, the FNDIC, and the government will be carried out.

Delta Commissioner for Inter Ethnic Relations and Conflict Resolution, Ovuzorie Macauley, who represented Governor James Ibori at the meeting, said it is unfortunate that what should have been done first to avert losses by all stakeholders is being done last.

A round table discussion is still the best solution to every problem, he stressed, "and here we are today to agree on the way forward after eight months of waste brought about by uncontrolled aggression."

Macauley, nonetheless, thanked the FNDIC, Shell, the communities, and the government for the peaceful resolution, and pleaded with the oil communities to avoid anything that would repeat violence.

FNDIC Chairman, Oboko Bello, said Shell is free to resume operations once the joint visitation takes place.

He reiterated that the people are prepared to co-operate with Shell "as it goes along the process; and along this process many issues have been raised, the problems have been resolved on the terms of the agreement issued.

"And as they are offering this level of co-operation they are still looking up to you (Shell) to comply with your own side of the terms of the agreement for a meaningful co-operation."

The FNDIC has constituted a committee to embark on the joint visitation with Shell, led by FNDIC Secretary, Kingsley Otuaro; along with Philip Ofawei, Azaye Piniki, O. Benaibi, and Fred Piniki as members.

Shell Director of Production, Sunmonu Mutiu, thanked the FNDIC and the communities for co-operating with the company, as well as the state government, and gave an assurance that Shell would continue to be a good neighbour.

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