From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Tension is mounting in the Ayamasa II community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State as the community halted construction work at the Iseni gas pipeline project, citing exclusion from the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted before the project’s flag-off.
The NNPCL-Shell Joint Venture project, which is being executed by Blue Star Ltd, reportedly owned by business mogul Aliko Dangote, spans communities in Bayelsa and Delta States.
Trouble was said to have started after Blue Star Ltd allegedly deployed military forces to the project site to stop the host community from disrupting the work over the alleged EIA issues, of which they raised concerns about their safety and lack of consent.
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It was gathered that the indigenes of Ayamasa II halted construction activities by the company days ago, but Blue Star Ltd was said to have returned with a military escort and heavy machinery, allegedly ignoring community safety and consent.
Local sources report that community members, sensing danger, retreated into the surrounding bush, preparing for a major resistance.
Security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military Joint Task Force—long informed of the community’s grievances—are reportedly working to prevent what many fear could become another bloody military-civilian confrontation in the Niger Delta.
In a press briefing, Clement Eniyekenemi, Chairman of Ayamasa II, stated: “This crisis is entirely avoidable. Blue Star Ltd simply needs to uphold the law and protect our community’s interests. During the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review in Ughelli, we protested our exclusion from the project as stakeholders, despite Ayamasa II being an autonomous community directly affected.”
He added that the then Secretary to the Bomadi Local Government, Barrister Cliff Labo, affirmed the community’s stakeholder status during the meeting. The Minister of Environment, represented by Dr Gashau, also reportedly urged Blue Star Ltd to recognise Ayamasa II’s legitimate claims. Despite this, Eniyekenemi said, the company has continued to ignore these recommendations.
The community leader further alleged that the company’s defiance may be influenced by one Mr Etukuyei Gbenkepreye, whom he described as neither a staff member of Blue Star Ltd nor a recognised community liaison officer (CLO).
“We urge Blue Star to investigate why his own Oboro community reportedly severed ties with him. His involvement here is not only improper but harmful,” Eniyekenemi warned.
As tensions mount, all eyes are now on Blue Star Ltd, government authorities, and the military, whose next actions could determine whether this situation ends in peace or tragedy.
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