The oil-bearing communities in the Nembe Council Area of Bayelsa State have described as fraudulent the Global Memorandum of Understanding drawn by the International Oil Companies operating in their areas.
He said, “The GMoUs are mere fallacies. The oil companies are only deceiving the communities with the documents and will not be ready to clean up the environment when there is a spill or even provide necessary amenities for the people. “We were not allowed to state our problems because they claim to know them more than us. Nothing has since been done by SPDC and our people are suffering.
A Community Leader from the Okoroma Clan, Mr Derry Patrick, accused the oil companies of using the revenue derived from the oil exploration in their area to develop other areas, while the community where oil was first drilled in Nigeria was totally neglected. Another Community Leader from Fantou community, Chief Michael Olali, said Federal Government’s presence was not felt in spite of the abundance of oil in the area.
“Our due should be given to us. Our people are not employed in companies, even as cleaners and drivers. There are also no opportunities for scholarships from the companies,” he said.