By Oyintokoni Joel , Yenagoa
The Traditional Rulers’ Leadership Forum of the EA/EJA Oil Fields Host Communities (in-Council), alongside the EA/EJA Host Communities CDC Chairmen Forum, comprising Bassan West, Iduwini, Mein and Kou Kingdoms, representing the 12 EA/EJA Oil Field Host Communities, has announced the dissolution of a purported Community Content Plan Management Committee (CCPMC).
The announcement was made during a press briefing held at the head office of Naija Live TV in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
According to the Forum, the purported committee is unrecognized and stands dissolved in the eyes of the traditional institution.
Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Leadership Forum, its Speaker, His Royal Highness Dr. Decca Emma Keredei, said the briefing became necessary following publications and radio announcements claiming the inauguration of a committee to handle local content, jobs and contracts for the EA field.
HRH Keredei said the EA field, which he said contributes about 75 percent of Bayelsa State’s oil allocation, has enjoyed uninterrupted production since its reactivation in 2002 due to effective community cooperation.
Giving background to the field, he said it was discovered in 1956, experienced a gas fire incident, was abandoned and later reactivated in 2002 through stakeholder negotiations.
He stated that the field has not witnessed litigation or factional crisis, attributing it to two recognized structures for engagement – the Traditional Rulers Forum as apex authority and the Community Chairmen Forum as frontline representatives.
“As sovereign traditional authorities and rightful rulers of these kingdoms, we wish to state categorically that these actions were carried out without the consultation, consent or blessing of the royal highnesses,” HRH Keredei was quoted as saying.
“Any committee concerning local content, jobs or corporate engagement formed outside the direct authority of the traditional institutions is a clear violation of our established governance structure,” he added.
He further stated that the purported CCPMC is unrecognized and stands dissolved, and advised corporate partners, operating oil companies and government agencies to disregard the committee.
The Forum said it has formally notified the Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), security agencies and the Bayelsa State Government of its position.
HRH Keredei also cautioned that the use of names of traditional rulers without consent could amount to impersonation, noting that such actions could attract litigation.
He stressed the need for consultation and cooperation with traditional rulers on matters affecting host communities, emphasizing peace and unity as prerequisites for development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the EA Host Communities CDC Chairmen Forum, Mr. Timothy Geregere, said the CDC Chairmen Forum does not recognize the purported committee.
“We saw a publication across the media where a group was inaugurated as EA Host Community Community Content Plan Committee. We are here to tell the world that we do not recognize that committee,” Geregere said.
According to him, the Community Content Plan is meant to be driven by traditional rulers and CDC Chairmen as legitimate community authorities.
“We did not give any mandate for such a committee. We did not sign anything for them,” he said, adding that the existing structure is the EA Host Communities CDC Chairmen Forum reorganized with the involvement of traditional rulers and operating companies.
He appealed to multinational companies, government agencies and security agencies to take note of the Forum’s position and disassociate from the purported group, stating that the Forum will report to appropriate authorities if the group continues to parade itself.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, protection of oil facilities and sustained development through recognized and lawful channels.
Efforts to get the reaction of the purported committee as at press time were unsuccessful.
