Oil & Gas
Don’t Be Like SPDC, Diri Tells Renaissance Energy
By David Owei, Baylesa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited that having acquired the assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), it should operate differently from the former owners of the oil firm.
The Bayelsa governor also urged the company to incorporate the interests of host state governments in its operations in order to reduce conflicts in host communities.
Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday when he received the management of Renaissance Africa Energy, including its chairman, Dr. Layi Fatona, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Attah, and other officials in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor explained that before SPDC divested its assets, host communities were short-changed because the proceeds that accrued to them were grossly inadequate and resulted in agitations by state governments for a better deal.
“When we heard that SPDC had divested, we advised that the new company carries the host states along because part of the issues with the previous operator were that they were seen more like buccaneers. They were like people who came to the communities to collect and in return gave nothing back.
“Of course, the other party that also enjoys the oil arrangement is the federal government. Even out of protests and agitations, what the Niger Delta states get is a paltry 13 per cent.
“There is nothing wrong if states are co-owners with you even if it is a little percentage and that is what l have been pushing for. l think it is not too late now that we have our own people there.
“If we are co-owners, there is even the tendency that we will protect it more just as we are doing with the 13 per cent. See what you can do to include the interest of Bayelsa State.”
Senator Diri, who expressed dissatisfaction with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noted that, “under the act, the federal government and oil companies cut off the states and local governments and deal directly with the communities. Now we receive a lot of protests from the communities. It is only when trouble comes that they remember that there is a state government and a local government.
“But you have now come in. So please, do not be the buccaneers that people used to know about SPDC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and all other oil companies that have operated on our land.”
The Bayelsa helmsman commended the management of the oil firm for acquiring SPDC, which had hitherto been dominated by foreigners for decades, saying that it was historical and something to be proud of.
“The good thing is that we have the same people that have been in the oil industry and have understudied and have been exposed to the intricacies. l hope that you are not going to make the same mistakes and that you are going to see the states and communities as part and parcel of your operations,” he said.
Diri assured of the state government’s commitment to partner with the company on energy security, adding that his administration was procuring a 60-megawatt gas turbine for independent power supply to the state.
He also appealed to the company to look in the issues of environmental pollution, stressing that as it had acquired the assets of SPDC, it should equally acquire the liabilities.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona, said the delegation was in the state to introduce the company and its vision to the government having acquired SPDC’s assets.
He sought the state government’s collaboration in the area of energy security under the administration’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda to help support Bayelsa’s development.
Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Attah, said the company recognised Bayelsa as being supportive to its predecessor (Shell) and commended Governor Diri for his visionary leadership.
Attah noted that the company intends to be Africa’s leader in energy security and facilitate industrialization using domestic gas for the interest of Nigeria, especially Bayelsa which has huge potential in gas.
Oil & Gas
A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas Flaring Accountability,-says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest
By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost.
Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future.
According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”.
The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them.
Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added.
Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.
Oil & Gas
A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas flaring accountability, community justice, reversal of executive order 9 - says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost. Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future. According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”. The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them. Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added. Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”. Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.
By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost.
Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future.
According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”.
The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them.
Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added.
Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Stakeholders of some Niger Delta communities have added their voices to the growing calls for the end to gas flaring in Nigeria.
The stakeholders who are from communities affected by environmental pollution and degradation are also advocating renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The communities made their position known at Global Week of Action,
organized by the Quest for Growth and Development Foundation under the theme “Kick the Polluters Out”, held in Port Harcourt Rivers State at the weekend.
Speaking at the town hall meeting, which brought together community leaders, civil society representatives, and traditional rulers, Barr. Mrs. Comfort Uche Agumagu, the woman leader of Oromeruezimgbu Community in Rivers State called on the government to accelerate the shift to renewable energy.
She demanded responsible environmental practices from oil multinationals who she blamed for extensive pollution of the environment.
She said; “I have learnt the harmful effect of pollution, especially gas flaring. Most of us were not aware of these things.
“Proper sensitization should be done so that the public will be fully aware of the dangers.”
Mrs. Agumagu issued a strong call to the Rivers State House of Assembly to prepare a bill that would ensure proper cleanup of other communities beyond Ogoni land and hold polluters accountable.
She commended Quest for Growth and Development Foundation for the sensitization programme, admitting that many residents had been living with the dangers of pollution without knowing it.
Mr. Chukwudi Ebony Johnson, a representative of ONELGA (Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni Local Government Area), praised the organisers while urging them to take the campaign to a higher level.
“I want to encourage the organisers to extend this programme to the state government,” Johnson said, signaling the need for policy-level engagement with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
Royal Chief Ambassador Magnus, the paramount ruler of Erewa village and a stakeholder in Gokana Local Government Area, commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the government for their efforts in Ogoni land.
“I commend HYPREP for taking their time to do what is right for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He however advised the government on a fundamental shift.
“I want also to advise government on the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to avoid further damage on the environment,” Chief Magnu stated.
Coordinator of the Quest for Growth and Development Foundation, Mr. Smith Nwokocha, explained the rationale behind the town hall meeting, stressing that community voices must not be silenced.
“The main purpose of the town hall meeting is to ensure that the voices of common people are heard in holding polluters accountable.
“The multinationals and government have a duty to protect the oil host communities from damage to their health and livelihoods,” Nwokocha said.
He reiterated the foundation’s position on energy policy, calling for a decisive break from fossil fuel dependency.
“We are calling on the government that instead of constant oil drilling and gas flaring, there is an alternative source of energy – which is renewable energy.
“It is safer for the environment, and they should invest in it for the betterment of the people.”
The Global Week of Action is an annual mobilisation coordinated by civil society groups worldwide to demand climate justice and corporate accountability.
Rivers State, the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry, has long suffered from gas flaring, oil spills, and environmental pollution, with communities in Ogoni, ONELGA, and other local government areas bearing the brunt of decades of extraction without adequate remediation.
While the Ogoni cleanup under HYPREP has made some progress, speakers at the event argued that neighbouring communities remain neglected and demand a comprehensive, statewide approach to environmental restoration.
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