Shell counts losses on disputed shut OML-25 oil well

 

…Says ready for peaceful resolution with host community

 

BY OUR REPORTER

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says the continued closure of its OML-25 oil and gas facility in Belema community, Rivers State, is a huge set-back for the Nigerian economy as the nation has lost revenues “running into billions of naira.”

Consequently, the oil giant says it is disposed to peaceful resolution of the disputed OML-25 facility.

SPDC’s Spokesman, Michael Adande, made the company’s position known in a statement in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.

“The nation’s economy has been denied needed revenue these past two years that our facility had been shut down and illegally occupied by invaders.

“SPDC hopes for peaceful resolution of all issues to enable us (SPDC) to resume safe operations of our Belema oil and gas facility,” Adande said in a statement.

NAN reports that the oil and gas facility had been shut for about two years by Belema, Offoin-Ama and Ngeje communities all in Akuku-Toru area of Rivers State.

The communities had accused Shell of failing to implement a Global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the communities as well as allege pollution of their environment.

Adande said the closure of the OML-25 facility had denied the country lost revenue running into billions of naira.

The shell spokesman appealed to stakeholders to give government mediators the needed chance for a peaceful resolution to the lingering dispute.