A leading voice from the Niger Delta, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has issued a stern warning to the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Bayo Ojulari, urging him not to repeat the mistakes of past administrations by sidelining oil-producing communities.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, May 22, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) chieftain expressed deep frustration over the continued exclusion of the region from key leadership roles in the oil industry, despite being the nation’s main source of revenue.
“Our people insisted that Mele Kyari should retire at 60. When it was time to appoint a new head, we demanded a son of the Niger Delta, someone who understands the dynamics of oil production and the plight of our communities. But again, they brought someone from outside,” he said.
Sara-Igbe questioned Ojulari’s connection to the region, warning that without proper engagement and meaningful change, the new GMD would face opposition.
“The spirit of [Chief Edwin] Clark is not dead. If Bayo thinks he can ignore us and appease only the North, he will fail. You cannot explore our resources, pollute our land, and then shut us out of leadership and employment,” he declared.
He also criticised the NNPCL for systematically retiring experienced professionals from the region and overlooking qualified Niger Delta indigenes with advanced degrees in petroleum engineering and related fields.
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According to him, the result is a sharp decline in oil output, worsened by poor community relations, neglected refineries, and widespread environmental degradation.
“We are ready to cooperate, but the goose that lays the golden egg must not be killed. We need a GMD who will encourage oil companies to employ our people, revive our refineries, and boost production while protecting our ecosystem,” he said.
Sara-Igbe pointed to the potential of indigenous refineries in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta States, arguing that if given full support, they could lower fuel prices and position Nigeria as an exporter of refined petroleum products.
He called on Ojulari to visit the region, witness the destruction caused by oil exploration, and work with local leaders to design an inclusive strategy for the sector.
“This is not the era where oil companies operate without developing the communities. If the GMD fails to understand this dynamic, there will be no peace,” he warned.
As a former Security Adviser to the Rivers State Government, Sara-Igbe also appealed to the federal government to create fair development opportunities for oil-rich states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom, so they can compete with economic hubs like Lagos.
“The Niger Delta is not dead, and we will not die. We will continue to fight until our region is truly liberated and recognized for the wealth it brings to this nation,” he concluded.