OML40: Anxiety As IPDI Gives Backing To Belief-gbene, Threats To Shutdown NPDC/ECREST Operations, Calls On Okowa, State Minister of Petroleum, Commissioner Of Oil/Gas In Delta, Egbema Leaders To Prevail

OML40: Anxiety As IPDI Gives Backing To Belief-gbene, Threats To Shutdown NPDC/ECREST Operations, Calls On Okowa, State Minister of Petroleum, Commissioner Of Oil/Gas In Delta, Egbema Leaders To Prevail

Francis Tayor

Warri____ The National Leadership of Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI, has thrown it weight behind the threat by Belief-gbene community in Warri North, Delta State to shutdown the operations of Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and ECREST Oil Company operating in the area, as it called on the State Minister of petroleum, Mr Timipre Silva, commissioner of oil and gas ,Delta State Mr Emma Amgbaduba to prevailed on NPDC and ECREST Oil companies to end acute marginalization of the community.

Speaking shortly after an indoor meeting with the community leadership ,the group's National Acting Spokesman Mayor Timi Ogobiri said Belief-gbene community was among other host communities that made up OML40 in Egbema but has been segregated and sidelined over the years.

The group added that Belief-gbene despite its size and affiliations with Polobobou and Opuama communities, It remains an autonomous community, and be included in scheme of things in Egbema Kingdom.

The group warned NPDC/ECREST to stop further oil operations in OML40 until proper attention was given to Belief-gbene Community to avoid a showdown by the community.

The group averred that Belief-gbene community had written several letters to the companies and other relevant authorities but they are yet to be considered as host community, an injustice suffered for too long.

The group said So long Northerners who do not produced a drop of oil could enjoy Niger Delta oil , Belief-gbene community must be recognized in the oil operations of Warri North.

The group advised the leadership of Polobobou and Opuama communities to stop segregation among themselves and never trivialized the agitation of Belief-gbene community.

However, the group called on Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State, State Minister of Petroleum,Mr Timipre Silva, Commissioner of Oil and Gas, Delta State , Mr.Emma Amgbaduba and Comrade Ezekiel Daniel, SSA on Security, Delta State to prevailed as to avert the looming crisis and the move to close down oil operations in the area, the statement adds.