By Our Correspondent
The people of Tekedor Kusimi Community (Egwa 2 Oil Field) in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the State Government and relevant agencies to quickly intervene in the dispute between the community and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Nest Oil in connection with the on-going dredging work on some of the oil wells in the community.
According to the Chairman of the community, Deacon Clement Tekedor, NPDC has refused to honour the MOU with the community and instead has given the freedom to operate to non inidigenes.
While frowning at the attitude of NPDC, Deacon Tekedor stated that all efforts to get the management of both NPDC and Nest Oil to dialogue have proved abortive.
He said; “Rather than coming to dialogue with us, NPDC and Nest Oil have resorted to engage the Army to harass and intimidate us, threatening to deal with any opposition from the community. It is very important for both parties to dialogue to avoid violence and break down of law and order in Tekedor Kusimi Community.”
He therefore called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to wade into the dispute by directing NPDC and Nest Oil to stop further work in the community and come to a round table for a proper dialogue.
The community also demanded among others, the reversal to the oil MOU, immediate stoppage of the dredging activities going on in the community and the immediate withdrawal of the Army from the area to enable the people go about their legitimate businesses without intimidation.
Also speaking, the head man of the community, Chief E. Tekedor said that there is every need for the companies to give employment to them and to give the indigenous contractors freedom to operate in their own land as they the companies, NPDC and Nest Oil are trying to make them strangers in their own community.
Chief Tekedor said that Tekedor Kusimi Community is known for peace and they have always dealt with SPDC without any form of rancor, he therefore advice NPDC and Nestoil to honour the MOU.
