Shut Down Of Flowstation In Delta: Otuaro Tasks Oil Coys, Host Communities On Peace

Oil companies and their host communities have been asked to avoid things that would erode the gains of the relative peace achieved in the oil operating environment in Delta State.

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro gave the advice in his intervention in the dispute between Diebiri-Batan community and both the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Heritage Energy Services Ltd, in his office in Government House, Asaba, at the weekend.

“The Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led Delta State administration came amidst resurgence of militancy and vandalism of oil and gas facilities which no doubt contributed to the national recession. Government put in place peace measures including the Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities to achieve the current state of peace. We therefore, as a government, frown at problems in the oil operating environment”, Otuaro said.

The Deputy Governor who acknowledged that Diebiri community has a peculiar challenge from displacement in a previous crisis, noted: “Delta State Government  appreciates you for heeding our call to peace. Please continue on the path of peace as we do what we can to improve on your challenges. One thing is certain, oil companies cannot absorb all job applicants from their areas of operation.

Unemployment is an international challenge. We want to call on Diebiri-Batan community to therefore take advantage of our wealth creation programmes such as YAGEP and STEP so your youths will have skills for self reliance. Get in touch with the appropriate office for a special consideration. Please keep the peace as we do more to all parts of Delta State. We also urge the oil companies  to do the needful”.

Vice Chairman of Diebiri-Batan community, Chief Joseph Egbelegbele had, amongst others said: “Government has not done anything  to settle the people of  Diebiri displaced due to crisis since 1996.

We’re not empowered,  not employed. The oil companies don’t have us as contractors. We consider oil and gas facilities as our everlasting property and so cannot vandalise as doing same will endanger the  environment. We have continued to endure”.

Spokesman for Heritage Energy Services Limited, Mr. Chidi Chukwueke, said although there was room for improvement, the company had done much including  employment of indigenes of its host communities like Diebiri-Batan who, it said, needed to do more to assist protection of oil facilities in the area. The company also claimed to have “sponsored training programmes  via funding of GMOUs”.

But the Deputy Governor, who chairs the Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities told the oil companies: “We sniff at GMOUs entered with communities without government witnessing same. This is so that when issues arise, we can intervene to bring about an amicable resolution. Also, when you see reasons for revocation, you can draw government attention. We need to sustain the peace we have built”.

Otuaro also directed Heritage Energy Services Ltd to invite Diebiri community to discuss ways of improving on what the company had done for Diebiri-Batan and give government feedback.

Story contributed by Bulou Kosin