OML34: Host Communities Threaten to Shut Down Operations

Host communities of Oil Mining Lease 34 in Delta State have vowed to shut down operations over alleged ill-treatment by the management of NNPC E&P Limited and ND Western Ltd Joint Venture.

This was contained in a statement signed by the elected leaders of the host communities, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Monday.

The signatories to the statement comprised Akpos Maduku, PG Otor-Udu; Francis Uzoh, PG Effurun Otor; Edafe Kporharo, PG Ekakpamre; Solomon Okorodudu, PG Eruemukowharien; Stephen Asheshe, PG Okpare-Olomu; Pastor Moses Odata, PG Uwviamuge and 20 others.

Also Read: Customs Seizes Over 100 Smuggled SUVs, Other Vhicles

Among other allegations, they expressed total displeasure on issues that border on corporate social responsibility which they claimed the operators had failed to fulfill to the OML 34 host communities.

The statement read partly, “We wish to place on record that for the past one year, the 28 Host Communities of OML34 have been engaged in a running battle with the management of NNPC E&P Ltd and ND Western Ltd Joint Venture over issues that borders on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/failed promises to the OML 34 Host Communities.

“Our demands are non-payment of four years scholarship arrears spanning through 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. Non-payment of penalty fines from the expired GMoU spanning through a period of 2016-2019. Non-payment of Peace Award of 2022. Non-payment of Courtesy Call of 2023.”