The Bayelsa State Government would embark on a review of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between Cluster Boards and Community Trusts and international oil companies (IOCs) in the state in order to forestall conflicts in oil-bearing communities.
It said that such agreements would have to be approved and monitored by the state government in the future.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Douye Diri, gave the directive through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, and stated that the agreements should align with policies of the state government in order to foster better relationship between the host communities and the oil companies on the one hand and the indigenes of such communities on the other hand.
He said: “The state government is interested in being a party to such agreements to ensure all parties comply with the terms. A situation where oil firms breach agreements with their host would no longer be tolerated. This often resulted in conflicts in communities.
“Consequently, no community in the state, especially those in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, should sign any GMoU with the IOCs and security companies operating in their area. Where such agreements have been inadvertently entered into, they remain invalid subject to a review by the Office of the Attorney-General through the Ministries of Local Government and that of Mineral Resources.
“As a government that is interested in the peace and wellbeing of our communities, we want to ensure the relationship between host and cluster communities with the oil companies is cordial, with all parties keeping to the terms of the agreement entered into.”
