A landlord in Park Community, Dipinye Jumbo has charged the House of Representatives, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), and any other entity not to recognize any person or group of persons until they provide a power of attorney from the community.

Jumbo, a former lawmaker representing Ward 4 in the Bonny Legislative Assembly, gave this charge on Monday, March 17, 2025 in an interview with Kristin Reports in Bonny, Rivers State.

He stated that the nobody has been given a power of attorney to act on behalf of the community with regards to an order by the House of Representatives to Shell to relocate the beleaguered community due to alleged environmental degradation.

The community had in 2024 dragged SPDC and NLNG before the House of Representatives alleging the despoliation of its environment, pollution of its air space and destruction of its waterways thus debilitating fishing activities by her people by both companies.

The House of Representatives deployed a team to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the allegations by the community against both companies, and after reviewing the findings of the team, resolved that Shell should relocate the community to a more conducive location.

But reacting to the development, Mr. Jumbo said so far there has been no proper consultations with the property owners in the community, no enumeration and no engagement with critical stakeholders on the issue, stating that this has stirred suspicions as to how the process was being managed.

“So, as it is now, I want to urge, I want to advise, is it Shell? Is it the NLNG? Is it the House of Reps? That they should not recognize anybody again because there is a very big issue. Except they want to cause anarchy in Part Community that will also affect the Kingdom.”  

“Please, I am pleading, I am pleading because we are not aware; majority of the landlords in Park Community are not aware.”  

“They can as well come up to set up an investigation committee to come and confirm; we have over 100 persons in Park Community. So, those people that are parading themselves, who are they representing? Are they representing their own selfish interests or they representing the entire Community?

“Let them show or tender the power of attorney that was given to them to go and represent in respect of Park Community.”  

So, please as I said, I am pleading for peace to reign. Is it from Shell? Is it from the NLNG? Is it from the House of Reps? They should cease to recognize anybody again regarding to this matter.”

He outlined the next steps to take, which he listed as a consultative meeting with the landlords and property owners where a consensus will be reached on who should represent the community, delegation of power of attorney to the representative of the community, and plan for enumeration and valuation.