Dismissing any claim of disagreement with the management of ND-Western E&P Company and NNPC Limited, Oghenegueke, in a statement described the publication as handiwork of mischief makers and fifth columnists who want to cause disaffection between the host communities and the oil company.
Oghenegueke who is also the executive chairman of Otu Jeremi Community in Delta state, condemned the publication, saying it does not have his approval and that of other host communities chairmen.
He said that if there is any issue that needs attention, the company and the communities have a process of resolving it and not through pages of newspapers.
He added that management of NNPC Limited and of ND-Western have been doing their best to sustain the cordial relationship that have existed with the communities.
Oghenegueke asserted that all host communities have been working in harmony with the company and sees no justification for starting a conflict with one that has demonstrated such high standards of responsibility in their interactions with the communities.
In his response, the President General of Iwhrekan Community, Comrade Rufus Onokurefe, said that there was never a time when the host communities agreed to engaged the management of OML 34 in any media war.
He said that even when they have had to write letter to management over some issues of concern they had always opened a window of engagement and the issues resolved amicably.
Rufus Onokurefe asserted that neither they knew about the alleged letter nor did they give their consent for the publications in question.
However, addressing issues raised in the publications, the chairmen and president generals of the 28 host communities in OML34, said that the management of ND-Western E&P Company and NNPC Limited, have a more responsible way of dealing with issues with the host communities and have never failed to address host communities concerns.
“Even if we have any problems, there are more responsible ways to solve them than fabricating fictitious crises that don’t exist. since the company started operations in the host communities, it has upheld its corporate social responsibilities to the communities, including skill acquisition, scholarship awards, and the execution of the GMoU capacity building programme”. They added that those who have not benefited will have the chance to participate in the programme.
