Delta communities disrupt operations, threaten to shut down OML 42

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Okerenkoko Federated Communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta has shut down operations at the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 Flow Station at Jones Creek in the kingdom.

The aggrieved protesters, all women on Monday stormed the facilities operated by the National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Neconde Energy Limited, NPDC/Neconde JV to halt oil production.

The protesters’ action was premised on the alleged insensitivity of the company to the plight of the Federated Communities which included: Egwa; Batan, Jones Creek, Odidi and Okerenkoko.

They armed themselves with placards carrying inscriptions like: “Neconde/NPDC JV, no light, no operations”, “No light, no operations, NPDC/Neconde”, “Neconde/NPDC JV, Okerenkoko need turbine.”

Others were: “Okerenkoko is tired of darkness, give us light” and “Our voice must be heard, Neconde/NPDC JV”, among others.

The protesters vowed not to vacate the premises of the oil company until they were connected to the turbine the organisation was currently using.

According to them, the Federated Communities which comprised: Egwa; Batan, Jones Creek and Okerenkoko had been without electricity for several years.

Recall that Okerenkoko is the host community of the foremost Nigeria Maritime University (NMU).

Some of the staff inside the administrative block of the company were forced out of the offices without harm.

Addressing newsmen, the leader of the protesters, Mrs Esther Ene said that the pathetic light situation in the Okerenkoko was affecting the community and NMU students.

According to her, some of the students are already withdrawing their studentship in the institution.

“NPDC/Neconde JV has been operating in our community for several years and there is nothing to show for it.

“Okerenkoko is in darkness, some of our students are leaving the school because of lack of electricity.

“We need light and if we do not get it, by Wednesday we will shut down Batan, Egwa and Odidi flow stations.

“We will remain here until they mobilise contractors to carry out the electrification of Okerenkoko to enjoy the same light they are enjoying here,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Florence Edward said that the communities had been suffering amid abundance.

“We have been suffering, light must reach Okerenkoko before we leave this flow station. They must connect us to their turbine light.

“Connect us to the turbine you are enjoying, it is our right,” she said.

On her part, Mrs Ebime Okoro expressed displeasure that the communities had made several appeals to the oil company regarding the electricity situation all to no avail.

“We have appealed severally to NPDC/Neconde on the need to connect us to their turbine all to no avail, that is why we come here.

“Okerenkoko has no light, NMU has no light, who does that. Without the light, we will remain here, and both the students and the federated community will suffer.

“Tomorrow, Egwa Flow Station will be shut down. Since NPDC/Neconde took over the facility, there has not been any community project,” Okoro said.

It was gathered that the community had sometimes met with the management of the oil company on how to address the light situation.

The, however, management urged the community to nominate a contractor to handle the project which the community did.

According to the source, the contractor inspected the site and identified the route for the high-tension cables and the location for the transformer.

Thereafter, the oil company came up with an excuse that COVID-19 would not allow them to carry out the project.

“However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the company came up with an excuse that the Petroleum Industry Act should be passed before they commence the electrification.

“The Board of Trustee (BoT), Management and other members of the PIA committee have been constituted, what is the company still waiting for,” the source asked.

However, when contacted for comment on the allegations, staff of the NPDC/Neconde who were available all declined to comment.