Residents hinder Oloibiri Museum construction over Julius Berger's alleged failure to sign MoU

By Bassey Williams

Residents of Otuabagi Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have shut down construction work on the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre project.

The community took the action to protest Julius Berger Nigeria Plc's alleged refusal to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the host community.

Hundreds of men, women, and youths from Otuabagi staged a peaceful protest at the project site over the weekend, carrying placards with inscriptions such as "No MoU, No Work," "Respect Otuabagi People," and "Julius Berger Must Employ Our Youths."

The Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre is located in Otuabagi, the historic site where Nigeria’s first commercial quantity of crude oil was discovered in 1956.

Protesters accused Julius Berger, which is executing the Federal Government project, of deliberately sidelining the host community in the project's execution.

They further alleged that the Chief of Staff to the Bayelsa State Government House, Hon. Peter Akpe, was frustrating the signing of the MoU between the community and the construction firm, calling his actions a form of sabotage.

The Chairman of the Otuabagi Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Okorie Obulor, expressed shock that, despite several meetings, the company continued work without concluding a formal agreement.

"We have been patient for too long. This project sits on our ancestral land. Yet, our youths are unemployed, our women are not engaged, and our community has no input in the process," Chief Obulor stated, directly accusing Dr. Peter Akpe of using his influence to delay the process.

Youth leader, Comrade Samson Ebi, echoed the sentiment, accusing both the construction company and government officials of excluding Otuabagi indigenes from employment and contracts. "We will not allow any external manipulation to deprive us of our rights. This is the birthplace of oil in Nigeria... Until Julius Berger signs the MoU with the community, there will be no further work here," he insisted.

Women protesters joined the demonstration, demanding empowerment and participation in the project's social responsibility programs. Women leader, Mrs. Felicia Amakiri, lamented that previous assurances given to the community had not been honored, stating: "We want fairness, employment, and community development. Our men cannot continue to be security guards while others get the contracts."

The community leaders have called on Governor Douye Diri and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, to urgently intervene. They seek the Governor's intervention to ensure Julius Berger complies with due process by signing a binding MoU that clearly defines the rights, benefits, and obligations of all parties.

While project officials from Julius Berger declined to comment on the matter, sources within the company hinted that consultations with key stakeholders are ongoing to find an amicable resolution.

The project, which is being supervised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Ministry, is intended to serve as a national monument for tourism, research, and heritage preservation.