The Ijaw Elders Forum, (IEF) has called on the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri to investigate an alleged plan by some unnamed top individuals in the country to takeover oil fields belonging to Bayelsa in South-south Nigeria.
The group stated that the call has become important after stories that some persons in the corridors of power are seeking to take over the Atala Oil Fields located in OML-46 flooded social media and other news platforms.
The group said that the oil fields are a prime asset for the Niger Delta state and should not be appropriated for personal gains.
The group, therefore, called on Governor Diri to treat the matter with urgency and ensure that the oil fields remain a valuable asset to the state.
A statement released by the group on Friday, calling for urgent action was jointly signed by the Secretary, IEF, Mr Efiye Bribena, Moderator, Ijaw Nation Forum, Mr Ben Amaebi Okoro, BOT Chairman, Embasara Foundation, Chief Amagbe D. Kentebe, President, Homeland Chapter, Ijaw Professional Association (IPA), Hon Iniruo Wills, President, IPA, Mr Elaye Otrofanowei, and President Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), Rosemary John-0duone.
The Ijaw leaders in the statement issued in Lagos, asked Governor Diri to commission a public panel of inquiry that would “unravel the whole truth on the matter and make public its findings and recommendations, take any other appropriate legal action, including sanctions where deserving, and appoint a competent Board and management for the Bayelsa State Oil Company Limited (BOCL) that can effectively drive its operations and in particular pursue the recovery of these prized public assets”.
