The Bayelsa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reopened an oil well shut by the Ogboibiri community, Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
It was gathered that the community blocked the wellhead following a disagreement with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), which operates in the area.
The community leaders accused the oil firm of failing to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with them.
A community source said people of the area ran out of patience on September 21 and blocked the wellhead.
He said the decision, which was taken by the Community Development Committee (CDC) led by one Okosughe Benson, was leaked to operatives of the NSCDC who were patrolling oil facilities in the area.
“The CDC chairman got a telephone call from the NSCDC state Commandant, Desmond Agu, who engaged the committee and told them to suspend their action.
“Agu reeled out the implications of shutting down an oil well and advised them to embrace dialogue. He promised to intervene to resolve the lingering dispute between the community and the oil firm,” the source added.
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