By Our Correspondent
NIGER DELTA oil-rich coastal communities of Ojobo, Ogbotobo and Tarakiri Cluster Development Board (TCDB) comprising Egbemo Angalabiri Ojobo, Ogbotobo, Agbayama , Agbidiama and other Satellite communities both in Burutu and Ekeremo local government areas of Delta and Bayelsa States, said there was no time they issued Saipem and other oil firms operating in their localities quit notice.
The communities emphatically stated that they are neither at war with the Italian oil giant-Saipem nor any other companies presently executing projects at the ongoing Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solution Project (SSAGS), warning those fanning ember of war between the communities and oil firms to desist.
In separate statements signed and made available to newsmen in Warri at the weekend by Chief Bekewei Warekromor (Amananaowei of Ojobo community), Barr. Tari Areprekumo (Chairman, Ojobo community),Chief Perry George (Ogbotobo CT Chairman) and Dr. Prince Jude Ebibokefie (Chairman, TCDB), the community leaders clarified that there was no contractual irregularities between them and Italian oil contracting firm, Saipem.
They claimed that they had never been denied whatever was due to their communities since the project commenced saying those threatening shut down oil installations in the area under the pretence of breach in contractual agreements as mere mischief makers.
“As a people, we do not at any time request or call on SPDC to stop Saipem from handling its oil and gas projects within our communities. It is also not true that our youths are being mobilized by us to protest in embassies against Saipem’s continued presence in our communities.
“We could never have done so because there has been no basis for that. We further deny the allegation that Saipem ignited communal clashes in our communities and describe this as false alarm by relevance seeking individuals who lack the competitive spirit. We are working with Saipem to deliver the SSAGS project”, one of the statements said.
On the alleged irregularities in contractual agreement, they explained that prior to commencement of work, the TCDB dialogued and agreed through Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and Freedom to Operate (FTO) agreements with SPDC and the contractors on the terms for execution of the project.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all FTO related sub-contractible activities as awardable to the communities have never been denied the communities. Also, opportunities for the award of subcontracts had been and continue to be offered to competent contractors from our communities in a fair manner”, it further added.
While faulting the earlier publications, the statements described as untrue allegation that Chief Kenneth Obuku, Chairman, TCDB Board of Trustees, a true son of ijaw land in connivance with the oil firm has hijack subcontracts meant for the indigenes of the area.
