Women of Biseni Kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Sunday, staged another peaceful protest, blocking the only access road into the community, as tension continued to mount over the arrest of some youths, the reported explosion of an oil pipeline and the deplorable condition of the road leading into the kingdom.
The women barricaded the road, preventing access to facilities operated by Oando Plc and Renaissance Africa Energy Company, formerly Agip and Shell, demanding urgent intervention on the failed road and justice over the unfolding crisis in the community.
Key Highlights:
The latest protest comes barely a day after reports emerged that security operatives arrested some youths following a security operation in the area, while an oil pipeline reportedly burst amid the escalating tension.
The cause of the pipeline explosion has yet to be officially established.
Carrying leaves and placards while chanting solidarity songs, the women condemned what they described as the continued neglect of Biseni despite the community’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
They lamented that the road linking the kingdom to neighbouring communities has deteriorated to an alarming level, making movement of residents, farm produce and commercial activities extremely difficult.
According to the protesters, the situation has been compounded by the recent security developments, including the arrest of community youths and the reported pipeline explosion, which have heightened fear and uncertainty among residents.
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The women called on the Bayelsa State government, the federal government, Oando Plc and Renaissance Africa Energy Company to urgently rehabilitate the road and address the issues fueling the crisis before they degenerate further.
The poor state of the road had earlier drawn criticism from visitors to the community.
During a recent visit to Biseni following an oil spill linked to an Oando facility, travellers described the journey from the JK4 axis into the kingdom as extremely difficult due to the badly damaged road.
The protesters vowed to sustain peaceful demonstrations until the road is rehabilitated and the concerns of the community, including those surrounding the arrested youths and the recent pipeline explosion, are adequately addressed.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Oando Plc, Renaissance Africa Energy Company, the military nor the Bayelsa State government had issued an official statement on the latest protest or the reported pipeline explosion.
