Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has denied reports that it shut down its flow stations in Bayelsa over fears of attack by militants over negative outcome of polls results.
It was gathered that the oil firm reportedly acted to forestall attacks by militants aggrieved by Jonathan’s loss in the March 28, 2015 presidential polls.
Tunu, and Bensede Kussi flow stations of SPDC in Southern Ijaw and Kolokumo/Opokum Local Government Areas Bayelsa were said to be shut down for security concerns.
The council areas were the theatre of militancy and restiveness before the amnesty programme and remain the hotbed of activities by oil thieves.
Spokesperson for SPDC, Joeseph Obari said on Friday that the operations of the oil firm were running, but declined further details and the shutdown of some of its facilities.
“Our operations are continuing, and we will not comment on security issues,” Obari said.
However, a source at the Tunu flow station within SPDC’s oil fields in Bayelsa insisted that it was shut down for operational reasons.
But the source who pleaded to remain anonymous said that the shutdown had nothing to do with anticipated attack by militants over polls results.
According to the source, “Tunu flow station was shut down for operational reasons not because of threat by ex-militants.
“Can we not shut down for operational reasons, what is the big deal if Tunu station is closed down for operational reasons?
“I cannot understand why are they eager to drag Shell into all these.”
•Photo shows SPDC
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.