A family in Bayelsa State has renewed its demand for compensation over land occupied by a major oil and gas facility, accusing the company operating the asset of failing to adequately compensate the customary owners.
The Brumuke Sana Family of the Peretoru-Gbene Federated Communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area made the demand during a peaceful protest against Renaissance African Energy Company Limited, which now operates assets formerly owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited.
The protesters, supported by community members, carried placards with inscriptions including “No Compensation, No Work” and “Give Us Our Right,” as they called for the resolution of the longstanding dispute.
At the centre of the dispute is about 7,382.805 square metres of land on which the Brass Creek Oil and Gas Manifold and Heliport is located.
The facility connects the Tunu, Opukushi and Beniseide Flow Stations to the Forcados Terminal in neighbouring Delta State.
The family alleged that despite the use of the land for oil operations, it had been excluded from royalties and other benefits associated with the facility.
Community leaders and members of the family said several efforts had been made to resolve the dispute through petitions and engagements with the company and relevant government authorities.
Chief Ken Aguna and former community women leader, Mrs Butter Felix-Anebi, said petitions had been submitted to Renaissance Energy, the Bayelsa State Government, the police, the Joint Task Force and other agencies, but the matter remained unresolved.
The head of the Brumuke Sana Family, Bonaze Maxwell Brumuke, said the prolonged dispute had taken a significant financial and emotional toll on him.
The octogenarian said years of pursuing the matter through petitions and legal processes had left him financially drained and affected his health.
According to the family, compensation has remained unpaid since the land was assessed by Julius Berger in 1993.
Community leaders have also backed the family’s claim to the disputed land.
Speaking on behalf of the Amananaowei of Peretoru-Gbene Federated Communities, Dr Timi Odikeme Okere, also known as Foukeregha IV, the Secretary to the Chiefs Council, Awulu Dumbo, and Chief Edward Ayiba affirmed the Brumuke family’s ownership of the land.
Other chiefs, including Chief Osadebe Okoun and Chief Tekearede Oyabrade, also supported the family’s position and alleged that it had been excluded from development benefits and royalties connected to the land.
The community leadership called on Renaissance Energy to engage directly with the Brumuke Sana Family and resolve the compensation dispute in accordance with applicable laws and global standards.
The leaders said resolving the matter would not only address the family’s concerns but also help preserve peace in the oil-producing community.
Meanwhile, the family and community members have continued to press for recognition of their claim and payment of what they consider adequate compensation for the use of their ancestral land.
Attempts to obtain a response from Renaissance Energy were unsuccessful as of the time the report was filed
