27 Years of Exclusion: Host Communities Draw Red Line, Reject JOMASON, Confront Renaissance Energy
By Passman Akpos
The Councils of Chiefs of Egbemo-Angalabiri and Agbidama communities in Bayelsa State have unanimously rejected any renewal of contracts held by non-indigenous contractor JOMASON, accusing Renaissance African Energy Company Ltd of decades-long marginalisation, exclusion and denial of local content opportunities to host communities.
In a strongly worded position paper issued after a joint meeting held on January 9, 2026, the traditional leadership declared that all contracts currently executed by JOMASON must expire finally in January 2026 without renewal, insisting that future contracts be transparently awarded to qualified indigenous contractors from the host communities.
The statement, signed by senior chiefs and community representatives, accused Renaissance—successor to Shell Petroleum Development Company—of perpetuating a system that has, for over 27 years, concentrated lucrative community-related contracts in the hands of a single non-indigenous contractor.
Allegations of Marginalisation and Single-Source ContractingAccording to the communities, JOMASON has exclusively controlled major operational contracts involving high-value assets such as multiple houseboats, 35 gunboats, 27 single-engine speedboats and W23 high-capacity speedboats, without competitive bidding or indigenous participation.
The chiefs described the arrangement as an abuse of the single-source contracting model, alleging it has promoted monopolisation, lack of transparency and the systematic exclusion of local businesses.
“It is unacceptable that contracts directly tied to our land, waterways and community security continue to benefit an outsider while the rightful host communities gain nothing tangible,” the statement read.
Economic Exclusion and Rising Discontent
The councils warned that prolonged exclusion of indigenous contractors has resulted in economic stagnation, youth unemployment, and growing resentment that could threaten peace in the oil-producing communities.
They stressed that host community principles and local content expectations demand inclusion, fairness and economic participation, all of which they say have been ignored for decades.
Unanimous Resolution: No Renewal After January 2026
Following extensive consultations with elders, youths and indigenous contractors, the communities resolved that:
All JOMASON contracts must end in January 2026 without renewal
The single-source contracting model must be discontinued immediately
Future contracts must prioritise indigenous contractors from Egbemo-Angalabiri and Agbidama
Indigenous participation is a non-negotiable host community right
The chiefs said the resolution represents the collective will of the people and warned that any attempt to undermine it would be resisted.
Warning to Company, Leaders and Regulators
The communities issued a formal warning to Renaissance Energy and any community leader allegedly supporting contract renewal, stating such actions would be viewed as working against community interest.
They also notified key national stakeholders, including the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), calling for urgent intervention to ensure justice and compliance with local content principles.
“Any authority or institution that chooses to stand against the collective interest of Egbemo-Angalabiri and Agbidama should be mindful that consequences often follow decisions,” the statement cautioned.
Call for Equity, Not Conflict
The chiefs maintained that their position is not driven by personal hostility but by a demand for equity, justice and sustainable development, stressing that no contractor should be permanently entrenched at the expense of host communities.
They concluded with a firm declaration:
“There shall be no renewal of JOMASON’s contracts after January 2026. All future contracts must be awarded to indigenous contractors from Egbemo-Angalabiri and Agbidama.”
The statement was signed by Chief God-Knows Prince Mienye, Chief Tarika-Akpo Palmer Gboluseri, Chief Christian Bowurufaghe, Chief Pere Dikanini, Chief Bidei Oyinmo, with Austin Penna Gilbert listed as Media Coordinator.
