Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, has reportedly shut down its flow stations in Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of Bayelsa state following anxiety that ex-militants may attack the facilities because of the outcome of presidential election.
The incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost last Saturday’s presidential election to the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd) is from Bayelsa state, but he had accepted defeat in good fate and urged his supporters to eschew violence.
Among the flow stations reportedly closed down are Tunu, Bensede Kussi, all in Bayelsa state.
A SNEPCo official, who spoke anonymously admitted that “Tunu flow station was shut down but not because of threat by ex-militants. Can we not shut down for operational reasons, what is the big deal if Tunu station is closed down for operational reasons, why are they eager to drag Shell into all these.”
However, Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager, Precious Okolobo and the company’s spokesman in Port-Harcourt, Joseph Obari, insisted that its operations are continuing and will not comment on security issues.
A source however said that “It was not as if SPDC shut down its operations at Tunu but it is carrying out skeletal services in the Central and Eastern operations of Niger Delta to resume in full swing next week as cautionary measures given the tensed political atmosphere in the Niger Delta.”
However, a source within the organisation said that “The truth is that militants sent a threat that oil companies should vacate the region and the company took precautionary measures by shutting down it its operations in Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local governments.”
“The whole thing is about the fear of possible attack on its facilities over the loss of the presidential election by President Jonathan. There was intelligence report that militants might bomb facilities and security agencies are already on the alert.
“Is there anything wrong if Shell took some precautionary measures to ensure safety of its staff and facilities, People should leave Shell alone,” he said.
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