TheCable

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has waded into the face-off between youth in the state and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) over the planned relocation of the oil firm’s supply base at the Onne oil and gas free zone, to Lagos state.

A government official said Wike took the decision after a meeting between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Saviour Patrick, president of the Rivers State Youth Federation (RSYF).

On Wednesday, it took the intervention of Ateke Tom, a traditional ruler in Rivers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to prevent members of RSYF from invading Shell premises in Onne.

According to the source, it was agreed at the meeting, which was attended by representatives of SNEPCO, that the youth would shelve their planned protest while the oil firm would suspend the planned relocation until after the meeting with Wike.

He said both DSS and the Rivers State government are concerned about the long term security implication for the state should the relocation to Lagos be executed.