Bayelsa Govt Warns Against Road Blockades, Pipeline Damage In Biseni

The Bayelsa State Government has urged communities in Biseni Clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, to discontinue the blocking of access roads to oil facilities as a means of protesting unmet demands from oil companies operating in the area.

Hotnews reports that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, made the appeal on Thursday during a meeting with the leadership of Biseni Kingdom, officials of Oando Plc and relevant government officials at the Government House, Yenagoa.

Dr. Akpe stressed that disputes should be resolved through peaceful and constructive engagement, warning that frequent protests and road blockades could negatively affect the image and economic interests of the state.

He directed the communities to compile and document all their grievances and demands and submit them to his office within one week for appropriate action.

He also directed the Ministry of Mineral Resources to engage Oando Plc and the affected host communities to resolve the issues, particularly the poor condition of the road linking the communities to some of the company’s oil facilities.

The Deputy Governor expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the issues by the oil company and urged all stakeholders, including security agencies, to cooperate with the ministry towards finding a lasting solution.

He further cautioned the communities against damaging oil pipelines, noting that oil spills could destroy farmlands, rivers and fisheries, with the people ultimately bearing the environmental and economic consequences.

The Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Council, Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, said the grievances of the communities were legitimate, alleging that some agreements between the communities and oil companies had not been fully implemented.

He described the roads leading to the oil facilities as deplorable and dangerous.

Responding, Oando Plc’s Lands Manager, Sir Okechukwu Onuemize, said the company’s position had been to rehabilitate the bad portions of the road rather than undertake full reconstruction as demanded by the communities.

The Acting Clan Head of Biseni, His Royal Highness Williams Wariebi, supported the government’s position and appealed to his people to desist from further blocking the roads, stressing the need to protect the interests of Biseni Clan and the state.

The meeting ended with a renewed call for dialogue, proper documentation of grievances and collaboration among the communities, government and oil companies to achieve an amicable and sustainable resolution.

~ Hot News Reporters
Saturday, 29, August, 2026