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Kingship: Bayelsa Community Gives SPDC 72 Hours to Suspend Oil Operation

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Following the closure of Afrotex company’s private accounts by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Aghoro community has issued SPDC, a 72hours ultimatum to reopen the frozen bank accounts belonging to the company to avoid a total showdown.

A petition dated 18th May, 2022 which was forwarded to the company’s Managing Director, Port Harcourt, Rivers State through Ogedegbe & Ogedegbe law firm said the Afrotex private accounts be unfroze to avoid adding fuel to the already tense situation in the community.

The petitioner, Afrotex limited, stated that SPDC refused to pay pending payments since 2018 to 2022, arguing that SPDC does not have the right to freeze the company’s private accounts.

“SPDC does not have right to hold our community money. No account has been open for the community since the Bayelsa state governor promise to open separate account for the community.

“Even if the governor opens the community account, it is not a ground for my private company account to be frozen.

“I will not take that nonsense. I can’t be intimidated. Am ready for any man, any time, any day. Let them open my company’s account for peace and progress in the community”, the petition added.

The ultimatum which was issued to SPDC on May 18, 2022 would be expiring by tomorrow evening.

According to the petition, except the account is reopened and outstanding payments were made, SPDC should evacuate and suspend every operation in the area at the expiration of the ultimatum on Monday.

The petitioner allegedly accused some SPDC staff Mr Ewos Saniyo, Oluyemi Ogunluwa, Tony Ahotu, Ningi Brown, Ovie Dominion and Cyprana Willy of being behind the crisis in the community.

The company’s staff were faulted for bringing their people to come and work in the Community’s oil manifold despite order by the governor for every part to maintain status quo.

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