Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, has vocally supported the protests by the people of Umuseti against the neglect they face from oil companies operating in their vicinity. He has consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of these companies in the Niger Delta region, particularly in Delta North, where the Ndokwa area is a significant producer of crude oil and gas in Nigeria.
Despite the high oil production in this region, the companies have not fulfilled their social responsibilities to the local communities. For over three years, Senator Nwoko has been actively involved in aiding Umusadege-Ogbe and Beneku communities in their efforts to compel oil companies to meet their obligations. He has facilitated numerous meetings between these communities, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and AGIP oil company in an attempt to address the issues concerning the companies’ responsibilities to the host communities.
Senator Nwoko has pledged to take further action by bringing a petition from these communities to the Senate for deliberation. He intends to propose a motion that would prompt a review of agreements between oil companies, the government, and the host communities. If the companies are found to be negligent, litigation will ensue, and if the agreements are deemed inadequate, they will be rewritten to better serve the interests of the communities and the nation.
The Senator’s primary concerns regarding the oil companies’ activities revolve around environmental degradation, particularly oil spillage and gas flaring. He has committed to addressing these issues head-on.
It is important to note that Senator Nwoko has already taken steps in the Senate to investigate the persistent issue of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. The Senate has accepted his motion, signaling the commencement of an inquiry into this nefarious practice and its perpetrators.
