The executive members of OML 42 host communities forum have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the continuous activities of NNPC E&P limited (NEPL)/NECONDE ENERGY in the OML 42 Field Asset that creates frequent pipeline leakages leading to the continuous destruction and degradation of the environment and means of livelihood.
This was communicated in an open letter to the president titled “continuous destruction of OML 42 environment and communities by NEPL/Neconde energy in Delta State,” a copy of which was made available to this medium on Wednesday.
Signed by the members representing the 14 host communities, the letter revealed that several complaints have been sent, representations and meetings have been held with the Management of NEPL/NECONDE with a view to addressing these activities, but all efforts have proved abortive.
As maintained by the letter, after critical consultation with all stakeholders of the communities, certain resolutions were reached. Part of the letter read thus;
“Mr President, it is imperative to inform you that we have made several complaints, representations and meetings with management of NEPL/NECONDE with a view to addressing these activities, but all efforts have proved abortive. However, after critical consultation with all stakeholders of our communities, the following resolutions have been reached:
(1) First, we want to sincerely thank and appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for saving the lives of our people through the awarded pipeline surveillance contracts to Tantita Security, a private and indigenous security outfit, owned by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, Today, there has been commendable improvement, as we can go about our traditional occupation of artisanal fishing and farming in the creeks, considerably”.
The communities while lauding the Tantita security service said; “Mr President, it is pertinent to state that Tantita Security Services has contributed immensely to the preservation of our environment and the ecosystem, as illegal bunkering activities, pipelines vandalism and pollution of our water bodies have been drastically reduced.
“2) Mr President, we are constrained to bring to your notice reported plans by NEPL/NECONDE to embark on repair work on sections of the Trans Forcados Pipelines (TFP) which runs from OML 42 to Forcados Terminal in Burutu LGA of Delta State, without recourse to its negative implications to communities and the environment.
“TFP pipeline was constructed since early 1960s, and have outlived its useful lifespan, long ago leading to continuous pollution of our environment and destruction of our ecosystem, thereby creating hardship for the locals.
“We are strongly appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to save our lives and direct the GCEO NNPC limited to compel NEPL and NECONDE to commence full replacement of the said pipeline rather than sectional repair works that will not stop further leakages. This line TFP is one of the major lines destroying our environment because it has expired and cannot withstanding the pressure of crude oil on the line.
“Therefore, we vehemently reject the sectional repair works as concurrently contemplated by the NEPL/NECONDE which will continue to leak and continue to destroy our environment that is gradually recovering, thanks to operations of Tantita Security Services
“(3) Mr President, it is worthy of note that NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL) and Neconde Energy Limited has continuously refused to genuinely, committedly and transparently embark on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). We wish to state categorically that, OML 42 communities are no longer comfortable with NEPL/NECONDE on the PIA implementation process and other community related issues in the Asset. We therefore, give the Management of NEPL /NECONDE a 21-day ultimatum to commence genuine implementation process of the PIA, failure of which will amount to shutdown of operational activities in the OML 42 Asset.
“4) Mr President, it will interest you to note that all communities based contracts are being awarded to top management staff of NEPL and Neconde Energy Limited, using their cronies as community vendors thereby depriving indigenous contractors of patronage. Sir, in line with the Nigerian Local Content Act, all community-based marine and other services contracts should be awarded to indigenous community based contractors to develop their capacity and expertise to enable them contribute meaningfully to operations of the oil industry particularly OML 42 in Delta State.
“We strongly appeal to Mr President to intervene in this regard, to compel the Management of NEPL /NECONDE to do what is right and needful, as a matter of urgency, to avoid operational disturbances”.
A Stitch In Time, Saves Nine, the letter added.
