Saro Wiwa associates alleged minister’s plot to transfer Chevron’s interest in Ogoni Fields

A group, the Ken Saro Wiwa Associates (KSWA), has alleged a plot by a minister “to unilaterally transfer Chevron Nigeria Limited’s interest in the Yorla Oil Field (OML 11–Ogoni Fields) to an anonymous company in which he has interest.”

In a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, KSWA said it was an “organization with global membership committed to the promotion of the ideals and the consolidation of the legacies of the Ogoni Hero and human rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa and his fellow martyrs-in-struggle.

The KSWA acts as the conscience of the Ogoni people on all issues affecting Ogoniland.

It drew Buhari’s “attention to the secret and cleverly orchestrated plot” of the minister to divert the concession held by CNL in the Yorla Oilfield which is located in Ogoniland within OML 11.

“To achieve his plan, the minister has recommended a company to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) for both parties to discuss the terms and conditions under which CNL will divest its subsisting interest in the Yorla Oilfield to the anonymous company without prior consultation with the Ogoni people,” the group claimed.

“The KSWA maintains that the Ogoni people have not had any serious issues with CNL regarding its operation of the Yorla Oilfield. Our main opposition has been and continues to be directed against the activities of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), due to its poor oilfield practice and human rights records in Ogoniland. We ordinarily should not oppose CNL’s bid to transfer its interest in the Yorla Oilfield to any interested investor.”

Copies of the petition, signed by Bee Ogoni Naa Lee Pe!, Chief Gani Topba, National Coordinator, KSWA were sent to the Inspector General of Police; Director-General, Department of State Services; Chief of Army Staff; National Security Adviser; Group Managing Director, NNPC; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Governor of Rivers State; Managing Director, CNL; and Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria.

The group, which also cited environmental concerns, among other reasons, urged the minister to sack minister for “his gross incompetence and tactlessness in handling the functions of his office.”

It added: “The KSWA further demands that you reverse all decisions, approvals and/or recommendations made by the minister in connection with the Yorla Oilfield.

“We urge Your Excellency to take the above measures as the Ogoni people have lost confidence in the ability of the Minister to dispense justice in the protracted matter between the Ogoni people and the SPDC JV partners over OML 11 (Ogoni Fields).”