SPDC restores power to Bayelsa Kolo Creek Cluster after protest

Electricity supply has been restored to the Kolo Creek Cluster, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, host to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, after a peaceful protest and shutdown of the company’s crude oil and gas facilities by the locals. SPDC had last week assured the protesting communities that its personnel were working round the clock to fix the troubled gas powered plant serving the area with a view to restoring power. Mr. Michael Adande, a Shell Spokesperson in a statement said: “The spare parts required for the repair of the faulty gas-powered generator have been procured. We are working to restore power to the area as soon as the generator is fixed.”

Recall that residents of Elebele, Imiringi, Otuasega and Oruma (Yiba-Ama) under the Kolo Creek Cluster had last Tuesday blocked access and occupied the Otuasega crude oil manifold and the Imiringi gas logistics base, to demand restoration of power supply in the area. The area, had hitherto enjoyed free power supply until the power plant supplying electricity to the communities collapsed, plunging the entire area into darkness. Angered by the development and alleged neglect by Shell, youths, women and residents from the Kolo Creek Cluster communities, stormed and occupied the company’s facilities to press home their demand. This led to the quick intervention of the state government and a meeting of representatives of Shell, the protesting communities and government was held to resolve the power situation. 

However, community sources told Vanguard on Sunday that power was restored in the area, Saturday night, five days after the protest. “As we speak, there is power supply in Kolo Creek Cluster communities. They brought the light on Saturday night. It was going off and on but right now it is stable,” said a resident of Imiringi. He added: “Part of the resolution reached at the tripartite meeting, held last week was that besides fixing the faulty gas-powered generator supplying electricity to the communities, Shell should provide a 10 megawatt generator as back up, engage surveillance contractors to secure its electricity cable and also train four of the youths working with them to ensure constant power supply.”