BY DAVID OBES
The prompt intervention by the Delta State Government into the aged long dispute between Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, (HOSTCOM) as well as Community leaders has averted a possible complete shut down of oil facilities in Urhobo and Isoko communities in Delta State.
The intervention which resulted in a resolution to re-open the oil facilities in the various communities was reached in a meeting convened by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, at the intance of the state government at the Delta State Governor’s Annex, Ejeba, Warri, with NPDC officials and stakeholders of the host communities in attendances.
According to Barr. Otuaro, the Delta State Government is uncomfortable with the age long dispute between NPDC and the host communities and expressed its dismay over issues that has to do with the closure of oil facilities in the state, believing that in as much as there were defaults, the way forward was to ensure that all stakeholders come together and put the issues on the table and find a proper definition for them.
Barr. Otuara however expressed government’s happiness and thanks to NPDC and the Community leaders over the re-opening of the oil facilities for operation after the first meeting held on June 27th 2015. He noted that the state government under the leadership of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is dertermined and poise to operate a-people oriented goverment as well as people participating system of government. He thank all the President general and the community Development Partners for their timly intervention to open up the facilities for NPDC to start operations again.
His words: “It is pursuant to this, that as a government, we have thought it wise to call on you for this meeting. We believe, just as the present administration is strongly concern about the interest of all Deltans, so is the production of Oil and Gas that form the bases upon which Delta State government can deliver on her manifesto to Deltans. So there must be a meeting point between the interest of the communities as well as that of operators of these facilities. And I am grad to hear from NPDC that the facilities are re-opened and workers are back to work”. Barr. Otuaro stated.
The representative and Executive Director, Operations of NPDC, Engr. Kris Ugwu, while commending the state government’s intervention appealed to all affected communities to shield their sword and work as one family so as to respect the MoU signed by both parties. He noted that on NPDC’s part in the next few weeks it would have completed its obligation by paying up outstanding operational fees for the year 2014 and will be looking forward to start the first quarter of 2015.
Engr. Ugwu noted that NPDC does not intend that the issues that brought about the age long dispute should repeat itself, asserting that Management of NPDC does not wish to create vacuum anymore adding that whatever mistake done in the past will be corrected.
Chairman of Community Development Board (CDB) OML 34, Hon Geoge lsikorobia, who speak on behalf of the stakeholders expressed hope that NPDC will respect the term of the MoU signed between tthe communities and the company. He stated that the reason why the crisis come thus far is the inability of the NPDC to keep their promises in term of the MoU.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief of Staff Government House Rt. Hon Tam Brisibe, Deputy Chief Of Staff Government House, Hon. Steve Eruotor amongst others.
