Jimitota ONOYUME

PORT HARCOURT: THE Isoko people have rejected what they termed unilateral sale of oil wells in their area by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria limited, SPDC.

In a statement issued under the aegis of Isoko Positive Agenda, I.P.A and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Isoko nation said they would not accept situations where oil wells in their area were being sold by the multinational oil giant without they been given first right of refusal.

Continuing, the statement signed by Sam Idise, Chairman of the body, and members of the publicity committee, John Araka, Obuke Oyibothan and Olorogun Marcarthy said the Isoko nation would not tolerate a situation where a foreign exploiter of its God given resource would be replaced by another set of exploiters this time within the Nigerian state, adding that Isoko must be given equity participation in the management of their God given resource.

The statement further warned oil firms and prospective buyers of the oil fields to steer clear, stressing that the Isoko would not allow oil operations in their area without their permission.

“Isoko people will not allow them to operate in Isokoland without the permission of the Isoko people clearly articulated and documented in MoUs. Nobody should take the non – militant disposition of the Isoko youths in particular and Isoko people in general for weakness and cowardice.”

The statement also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to call SPDC and its collaborators to order to avert another round of violence in the region.