Leave Ex-Governor Dickson Out Of Atala Oil Field, Stop The Propaganda & Defamation – Group

A prestigious group known as Niger Delta Advocates has condemned in strong terms of the allegations made against the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Henry Seriake Dickson on grounds of trying to privatize the Bayelsa State Atala Oil Field.

The group spokesman, General Christopher Odama while addressing some newsmen in Calabar, the Cross-River State Capital, described the allegations as propaganda and fake news sponsored by mischievous unscrupulous elements aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson.

Odama stated that Senator Dickson should be commended for the enormous efforts and contributions in gallantly protecting the State Oil Field as a then Governor, and even as a Senator working unanimously with Governor Douye Diri, and other State leaders to ensure that the state’s oil field is reclaimed.

“Dickson is popularly known as a politician and not a businessman who would engage in the oil business that requires so many national and international organizations to function effectively, stressing that Dickson has no personal interest in the Bayelsa Atala Oil Field, except the general interest of the State, as an Elder Statesman.

“The Atala OML 46 was shut down last year, and Dickson personally called the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva on phone, and honourable minister explained that all state owned non-producing oil fields were shut down, adding that not only Bayelsa Atala OML 46 was affected but, so many non-producing oil fields were affected.

“If Dickson was interested in the state oil field then, he would have taken advantage of the shut down situation to privatize it, rather than engaging state leaders for a solution, stressing that Dickson has been very supportive working with Gov. Diri even to the extent of visiting President Muhammadu Buhari to find a lasting solution to ensure that the state oil field is retrieved.

Odama stated categorically that Senator Dickson as a Governor fought so hard to regain the Soku Oil Field to Bayelsa State, which is under the possession and benefit of the Rivers State Government, irrespective of the fact that the Soku Oil Field belongs to the Oluasiri people of Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

“It is important that the prosperity government should make proper clarifications on the issue, stressing that the government is fully aware that Senator Dickson has no involvement in the Atala Oil Field as alleged by some mischievous unscrupulous elements with the primary objective of tarnishing the reputation of Senator Dickson.

Odama further urged the general public to disregard the allegations as propaganda and fake news sponsored by mischievous elements to tarnish Senator Dickson’s political reputation by creating a wrong impression in the minds of the people of Bayelsa State, stressing that Dickson is working with Gov. Diri to ensure that the Bayelsa Atala Oil Field is reclaimed.