By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—The meeting between Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and Nembe communities in Bayelsa State, over the alleged sale of oil and gas reserves from the area without the involvement of indigenes of the communities, has been deadlocked.

It was gathered that the meeting, called  at the instance of Shell following last month’s invasion and shutting of oil facilities along the Nembe creek I and II in Nembe Local Government Area of the state, could not agree on the communities’ demand for 15 percent equity share and participation in the sales and proceeds of the oil reserves in the wake of the company’s divestment.

SPDC was reportedly represented at the meeting by Mr. Ayo Rowland, Chibuzor Ayam (Head, SWEAMP) and James Abula.

While the company, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, involved in the acquisition of SPDC’s 30 per cent stake in the oil mining lease (OML) 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk line, NCTL, under the latest Shell’s divestment policy of empowering indigenous oil companies, was represented by Bob Ekwuribe.

The host communities of Nembe Kingdom were represented at the meeting by Navy Captain Walter Feghabor-Amain (retd)  (Chairman, Contact Committee), the Chairman of the Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Awakai Gam-Dede, the Chairman of Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Nengi James and the former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly,  Bright Erewari.

A source close to the meeting, yesterday, confirmed that the deliberation was held under tensed atmosphere with the community demanding equity participation and other demands.

“It was agreed that the delegation should get  back to their bosses that the people of Nembe have resolved to give them two weeks more to deliberate on the outcome. The community demanded for 20 per cent equity participation amongst others claims earlier stated,” the source said.