Bayelsa State government has waded into the lingering face off between the Shell Petroleum Development Company and its host communities in the state.
The intervention followed the invasion of the company’s facility in Yenagoa by restive youth from Gbaran.
The youth on Monday disrupted operations at the gas plant and sacked oil workers from the facility.
According to a statement from Mr Joseph Obari, a spokesman of the company in Yenagoa, the firm reiterated its commitment to the development of local communities.
“Some youth from Gbaran have blocked access to the processing unit of the SPDC JV’s Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Plant in the state over alleged failure of SPDC to provide amenities to the host community.
“It is not true that SPDC has neglected host communities of our Gbaran-Ubie facility. We have progressively fulfilled agreed sustainable community development projects under the Global Memorandum of Understanding.
“For example, in 2014 alone, projects worth more than N100 million were completed in the cluster covering 10 communities.
“The Bayelsa State Government is leading discussions with the youth to end the protest,” the statement said.
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