The discovery of oil is often accompanied by shouts of joy, not only from government and oil prospecting companies, but by communities where such oil is found. But, that is not the case in two communities in Bayelsa State, writes Soji Ajibola.
The month of February, 2007 will remain evergreen in the memory of the people of Liama and Egweama in Brass Local Government Area of Beyelsa State. It was the month that the ever cherished resource (crude oil) that was supposed to be a blessing turned to a curse for them.
Both communities had been living together as brothers to the extent that they inter married. But, immediately crude oil was discovered at a particular island between the two communities, the bond of relationship was broken. The relationship was turned to that of a mouse and cat and the two communities are now ready to go for each other�s jugular at the slightest provocation.
About three weeks ago, on a particular Saturday, the hostilities between the two communities came to the fore. Nine people were reportedly killed while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed over the fight for ownership of the controversial oil well discovered in the area by a prospecting oil company, Emerald Energy Resources.
Many families lost their bread winners while the rivers were disturbed by the innocent blood of people alleged to have been brutally murdered. Not only that were they killed, many corpses could not be recovered while several others had their bodies decapacitated.
It was another guerilla battle, as the attack was launched right from inside the mangrove with the reported use of sophisticated weapons like dynamites, machine guns and others. Mothers could no longer breastfeed their babies while the babies were hungry to be fed.
Prior to the discovery of oil in the area, the trouble spot was known as a fishing settlement where people came from far and near to ply their trade. As at then, there was no controversy over who owns what.
When Emerald Energu Resources discovered crude oil in the area, three communities, Liama, Egweama and Beletiama, laid claim to the ownership of the place. The issue was brought to the notice of the state government, said the Chairman, Council of Chiefs in Egweama, Chief O.A. Basuten. According to the monarch, nothing was done to this effect until the government got the report that people are being killed and property destroyed.
The people of Egweama claim that they have necessary documents to support their claims over the ownership of the troubled spot. But, since they prefer living in harmony with their age-long brothers from Liama, they agreed to the terms of settlement put in place by the oil company, which include enjoying a 50-50 share of whatever accrues to them as host communities from the prospecting firm.
The term of settlement was said to have been honoured by both communities until the incident of what could be best tagged as a �Black Saturday� when youths from both communities engaged one another in a free-for-all fight over who should accompany a tug boat to the rig. The attack left in its trail no fewer than nine dead people while other missing ones are still being sought for in the mangrove forest.
The ancient community of Egweamamugbo was sacked by the suspected aggressors from Liama while a speed boat belonging to one of the youths from Egweama was said to have been impounded in Twon Brass.
Chief Basuten, in an emotion-laden voice, said �the loss is inestimable as a whole community has been sacked. My people are now taking refuge in Okpoama and other neighbouring communities�.
The presence of a naval base in Egweama did not prevent the irate youths from carrying out the onslaught. The Chairman of Egweama Council of Chiefs said that they (the chiefs) were holding back their youths from further aggression based on the peace agreement signed before the representatives of the state government sometimes ago. The decision to stay action on further violence received commendation from the state deputy governor, Honourable Peremobowei Ebebi, during his visit to the area.
While the people of Egweama are referring to the people of Liama as the �aggressors�, the people of Liama on their part are blaming the Egweama people for not honouring the agreement reached over the land in question. Chief Loveday Oyefiekuma, representing Liama, said the portion of the land in question belongs to them, not to Egweama as being claimed.
On the tug boat, the traditional ruler said three of the youths from Liama, who escorted the tug boat, were beaten by youths from Egweama �and so, our youths went for a reprisal attack�. He, however, declined to state specifically whether or not people were killed.
Government officials has being assigned to visit the trouble spot for an on the spot assessment while the youths from both community are being asked to do away with Egbesu spirit. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the state government is also planning to meet with the feuding communities and other communities said to be involved in the crisis so as to forestall a reoccurrence.
In the past, Bayelsa State had suffered much from youth restiveness and communal clashes. Consequently, the state deputy governor, Honourable Peremobowei Ebebi, had ordered the deployment of mobile policemen to the area while naval officers were directed to beef up security in the area.
The state government has a lot to contend with, including ensuring peace and stability in the state. But, at the same time, the traditional rulers also have roles to play in calling their subjects to order.
Crude oil is not going to last forever. It is, therefore, not something that should spur the people to kill one another because one day, it may dry up. In essence, it (crude oil) is not worth causing strained relationships between hitherto good neighbours like Egweama and Liama in Bayelsa State.