Host communities to OML 42 onbehalf of the OML 42 Host Communities of Odidi 1. Odidi 2,Egwa 1 & Egwa2, Batan and Jones Creek Oil and Gas fields have issued a-14 day demand ultimatum notice to NPDC, NECONDE operators of the Asset Management Joint Venture over their refusal to honour letter from the host communities dated April 13, 2021 and that after several reminder of previous letters written to the management for the commencement of Field Memorandum of Understanding, FMOU.
According to statement released on behalf of the OML42 host communities, signed by Chief Samson Oyimi, Amb. Billy Ekele and Hon. Shadrack Otuaro, said discussions with the NECONDE management have vehemently refused addressing their letter to discuss with them dated April 30, 5th of August and 20th of August 2021 respectively and that all proved abortive.
The OML 42 host communities are threatening to shutdown operations by the operators of the facilities if NECONDE doesn’t honour their demands within the next 14 days , adding that crude oil production from that facilities will be brought to zero level except the company address their demands.
Their demand reads: “OML 42 host communities in an emergency meeting have resolved and have no option but to issue NPDC/NECONDE Management 14 days ultimatum to resolve the following issues as stated below.
1. The Field Memorandum of Understanding (FMOU) with the OML. 42 host communities, which your management has refused to commence meeting from 2020 till date.
2. Address the issue of contracts award to OML 42 host communities.
3. Payment of Scholarship arrears awarded to OML 42 host community students in post primary schools and tertiary institutions.
4. Employment of managerial staff from OML 42 host communities into the management of NPDC /Neconde.
5. Since inception of NPDC/NECONDE no Developmental projects has been executed in the OML 42 host communities.
6. Establishment of skill acquisition centers in the OML 42 host communities.
7. Payment of contractors high profile debts from 2017 to 2021
8. Payment of outstanding FTO’s, MOU’s, O&M and other financial entitlement due OML 42 host communities.
OUR STANDS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Failure to address the issues itemized within 14 days shall lead to complete shutdown of operations of OML 42 fields.
2. Furthermore, we call on the Chief of Army Staff to call his Men to order while the OML 42 host communities are agitating for their legitimate right in order not to intimidate the members of the host communities,
3. We wish to remind the law enforcement agencies and government authorities, in view of our previous protest letters written to various concerned authorities/ stakeholders for notification/intervention, eg Nigeria Army, Effurun Barrack, 3rd Battalion, Commissioner for Oil and Gas Delta State, Commissioner of Police, Delta State, DSS, ETC, all prove abortive,” the statement added.
Chief Oyimi, Amb. Ekele and Hon. Otuaro on behalf of the OML host communities however appealed to the relevant agencies of government to intervene in order to avert the looming economic loss.