Hundreds of protesting Aja-Osolo indigenes in Warri South council area of Delta State have shut down the operations of the Conoil OML 150 field over alleged non-recognition and implementation of the PIA provisions as it affects them as the main host.
Speaking to newsmen at the flow station on Monday, the Osolo of Warri Kingdom, Billy Besigiwa said the community has written a series of letters to Conoil and all relevant authorities on the matter without any result thus forcing them into taking this action.
The Aja-Osolo community head (Olara-aja) represented by Mr. Felix Onire; Mr. Felix Elete, Youth chairman; Madam Mercy Kikiarun, a women leader and a community leader, Mr. Johnson Onire who spoke on the matter, expressed regret that after providing Conoil the conducive working environment to operate smoothly they decided to reward their peaceful disposition with utter disregard and disdain.
They vowed to remain in the company premises until Conoil grants their request, insisting that if Conoil can negotiate with communities in the West and nearby Bayelsa State why are they not willing to negotiate with Aja-Osolo community?
The leaders insisted that Conoil encroached on their land without any negotiation with them, saying: “The company is only trying to deliberately ignite trouble and we shall give it to them.”
The community leaders said the peaceful protest is just to draw the attention of the government at all levels to intervene in the matter and call Conoil to order before things fall apart.
The protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as ”Conoil We Want PIA”, “No PIA No Operation”, “Government We Want PIA.”
Noting that “Conoil has taken our simplicity for stupidity for too long.
Even as the protest continued in the presence of the military men, no staff of Conoil came out to address the protesters despite the presence of newsmen.
According to Chief Billy, “This is their usual practice in dealing with our request and without regard”.
They insisted that Conoil must operate within the ambit of the Law and provisions of the P.I.A regulations.