Ijaw Women Sound Alarm as Renaissance Explores Acquisition of Shell’s Onshore Assets
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
The Coalition of Ijaw Women Voices, a pro-Ijaw group, is sounding a cautionary note against Renaissance, the indigenous conglomerate, in its exploration of acquiring onshore assets from Shell.
Led by National Coordinator Ms. Annkio Briggs, the group is vehemently urging Renaissance to ensure comprehensive involvement of the Ijaw people in any potential acquisition. This comes amidst fears that the federal government may sell off assets belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited without the explicit consent of local communities.
Key Concerns Raised by Ijaw Women:
First Right of Refusal: During a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Ms. Briggs emphasized the paramount importance of granting the Ijaw people, residing in the areas where the assets are located, the first right of refusal. The group insists that the Ijaw community must actively participate in decisions related to the purchase and ownership of Shell’s onshore assets. Failure to do so, in their view, aligns with supporting the agitation and resistance of the Niger Delta, especially the Ijaw nation.
Demand for Consultation: The Ijaw women called upon the federal government, the Attorney General of the Federation, members of the National Assembly from the Niger Delta, and South-South state governors to reconsider plans to sell off Shell’s onshore assets. They view any attempt to proceed without proper consultation as dubious, deplorable, and unacceptable.
Accountability for Devastation: In a strongly-worded communique, the group demanded active involvement in negotiations and decisions related to the sale of oil and gas assets in Ijaw territory. They sought clarification on accountability for the remediation, reparation, and compensation for the devastations caused by oil exploration in their region.
Staunch Resistance: The Ijaw women made it clear that selling vital assets, particularly in the Niger Delta and Ijaw territory, is unacceptable and will be met with staunch resistance. Holding Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, ENI, and the Federal Government of Nigeria accountable for ecological challenges in the Niger Delta, they called for transparency and accountability in plans to sell off assets in their Indigenous lands.
Relocation of Oil and Gas Companies: Highlighting the historical neglect of the Niger Delta, the group renewed calls for the relocation of all oil and gas companies to the Niger Delta region. They emphasized that Ijaw people will no longer bear the burden of a country that extracts everything from their land.
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Warning Against Wasteful Investment: In a final note, the group declared that any investment in ventures to procure onshore assets in Ijaw territory without the full participation of the Ijaw people would be deemed a wasteful investment.
As Renaissance explores the acquisition of Shell’s onshore assets, the voices of the Ijaw women serve as a crucial reminder of the need for inclusive decision-making and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s valuable resources. The outcome of this cautionary stance is eagerly awaited by those concerned about the rights and well-being of the Ijaw community.
