Gbaramatu communities threaten showdown with oil companies

The kingdom therefore called on the Federal Government to swiftly intervene in the brewing showdown between the kingdom and oil multinationals before the situation goes out of hand.

Acting General Secretary of Gbaramatu Traditional Council Chief Godspower Gbenekama, on behalf of the kingdom raised the alarm on Thursday at a press briefing in Warri.

Gbenekama, who’s the Benemowei-Ibe of Gbaramatu Kingdom, urged the Federal Government to specifically call to order the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Neconde Energy, to avert a breakdown of law and order between communities and the oil companies.

He said the companies, which jointly operate the Oil Mining License (OML) 42, operating Odidi 1 and 2, Egwa 1 and 2, Batan and Jones Creek flow stations located in the kingdom, had consistently violated the rights of the natives.

He alleged, on behalf of the council, that the natives, who should have access to job opportunities at the flow stations had been displaced while contracts for them also hijacked.

According to the spokesperson of the council, the situation is already heating up the building area, with a growing disaffection against the companies.

Chief Gbenekama alleged that many youths, whose job opportunities had been illegally offered to non-indigenes, are beginning to resort to self-help and had invaded the flow stations to chase away workers from other lands.

Speaking further about the precarious situation, Gbenekama said “It is very sad and unfortunate that the planned relegation of our Izon contractors from this area of your operation is coming at a time when the communities, state and federal governments have resolved to work as a team in pursuit of peace.

“Since the recommencement of oil exploration activities in OML 42 in 2012, no single community re-entry project has been executed in the host communities.”

“More disheartening and provocative is the blatant refusal of the GMD of NECONDE Energy Ltd to honour his agreement with OML 42 Host Communities to remit 5 per cent of its 44 per cent equity to OML 42 Host Communities, an act that we consider as very dishonest and inimical to continuous peace in the region.”

“That evil ploy by NPDC/NECONDE to replace all community workers currently working in OML 42 flow stations in Batan, Odidi I &II and Jones Creek with non-indigenes, relatives and friends of the powers that be in NPDC/NECONDE alike, is a precise and calculated attempt to short-change local indigenes of their sources of livelihood.”

Gbenekama added that “the refusal of the company to follow universal best practices in lifting of their crude oil from Jones Creek flow station has destroyed the ecosystem of our lands because the process falls short of international best practices and standards and so the livelihoods of our people have been hindered and frustrated.”

He, therefore, called on the Minister of Environment and the Ministry of Environment to urgently visit the site and take proactive measures to save the situation before things deteriorate.

He also warned that henceforth, the kingdom would resist the evils of nepotism and tribalism and will legally acquire what belongs to the people.

Meanwhile, management of both the Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Neconde Energy could not be reached for comments, but an official of NPDC, who craved anonymity, hinted that efforts were underway to look into the veracity of the grievances with a view to addressing them.

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