Niger Delta: Tension as over 100 oil producing communities protest non-payment of entitlements

Protests Erupt in Port Harcourt Over Unpaid Ground Rent

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Over 100 oil-producing communities and families protested in Port Harcourt on Thursday, demanding the payment of approximately 87 billion naira in outstanding ground rent owed to them. The demonstration was organized at the entrance of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, as affected communities from six Niger Delta states rallied for their entitlements.

The protestors contend that the unpaid ground rent, allegedly owed by the former Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), which has since transitioned to Renaissance Africa Energy, covers the years 2014 to 2023. The affected states include Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia.

Demands from the protest included a harmonization of payments and the establishment of a uniform rate of 600,000 naira per hectare, as discrepancies in payment amounts to various oil-bearing communities were seen as discriminatory. Protesters carried placards with messages calling for compliance with federal resolutions and equitable treatment.

Chief Ayiba Job, representing the oil-bearing communities, criticized the company for neglecting their requests. He noted that while the communities were entitled to ground rent payments every five years, previous negotiations had led to inconsistent rates. Job specified that different communities received varying payments, citing an example of Azagbene community receiving 200,000 naira per hectare, while other areas received as much as 600,000 naira per hectare.

“The arrangement is unjust,” Job said. “We are producing the oil, yet receiving less than other communities. It’s imperative that all communities are treated fairly.”

He referenced a Senate resolution from March 2019, which stipulated a uniform payment rate, but claimed that Renaissance Africa Energy had failed to implement this agreement. Job also mentioned that the company had previously sought to challenge the Senate’s decision in court, but the case was dismissed.

Job clarified that the ground rent obligations apply only to communities whose lands were acquired between 1970 and 1978. The matter of past payments remains contentious, as communities await the resolution of their grievances.

In response to the protests, Igo Weli, Vice President of Relations and Sustainable Development for Renaissance Africa Energy, acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasized that relevant government agencies were addressing the issue. He urged the demonstrators to allow the authorities to resolve the matter in accordance with constitutional provisions and existing agreements.

“We recognize the communities and individuals from whom we acquired land, and we have documentation supporting our fulfillment of agreed obligations,” Weli stated. He added that the company renegotiates land leases with landlords as required, adhering to standard practices.

The protesting communities have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter and ensure that Renaissance Africa Energy complies with the Senate’s resolution on ground rent payments.

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