IPDI Calls For Immediate Termination Of Pipeline Surveillance Contract Awarded To Cpt. Okunbor, Accuses Him Of Trading Job Slots Of Host Communities To His Kinsmen

IPDI Calls For Immediate Termination Of Pipeline Surveillance Contract Awarded To Cpt. Okunbor, Accuses Him Of Trading Job Slots Of Host Communities To His Kinsmen

Press Statement

10Th June, 2020


We want to state unequivocally that pipeline survillance contract of Warri-Escravos, Trans- Focados and Egbema awarded to Ocean Marine Solution limited be terminated over clandestine and disgruntled treatments meted out for youths of the affected host communities by the company which is chaired by Capt Hosa Okunbor.

Our findings reveal that Ocean Marine Solution Limited is trading with indigenous pipeline surveillance slots of host communities in the aforementioned areas to his Benin kinsmen and political friends and this is capable of breaking down law and order in the region. Our youths have been sidelined in jobs in their country homes. It may interest you to note that no non indigene could perfectly carry out the pipeline surveillance guard better than indigenes. It is a misplaced priority to have awarded pipeline surveillance contract to non indigene. It is a clear APC conspiracy. Hence, it is our candid call that the surveillance contract be withdrawn from captain Hosa Okunbor and be given to another competent indigenous company that will address the needs and plights of the youths in the host communities.

We want to state again that the action of captain Hosa Okunbor is capable of brewing tension in Delta riverine communities, beginning from Warri, Escravos, Warri North, Burutu, Forcados, Gbaramatu and Ogulagha communities as job meant to be handled by youths of host communities now been handled by non-indigenes.

We are disappointed in captain Hosa Okunbor way of handling the surveillance contract in the above mentioned areas. The pipeline surveillance contract is meant for oil host communities and not for strangers. It was meant to create some sense of belongings to oil bearing communities but Captain Hosa is operating irresponsible and managing the contract like a personal property. We don't want him to continue with the surveillance contract. Let the contract be withdrawn from him to avoid break down of law and order.

The Federal government and NNPC should not pay deaf ears to this call as the affected communities may resort to self-help by stopping the foreigners he employs to work as surveillance guards. We equally, want to urge Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, fondly called the Aluta SSA to Delta State governor on security matters to use his office to rally round security apparatus in the state and beyond to compel Ocean marine solution limited to do the needful or the contract be terminated.

It has been proven that Hosa is not ready to improve the situation of things among oil host communities and there is no need allowing such person to trade with our destiny.

Therefore, we are calling on the Inspector General of police, AIG zone 5, the directors of DSS, Delta and Edo states and the chief of army staff to hold Capt Hosa Okunbor responsible for any break down of law and order among Warri, Gbaramatu, Escravos, Egbema, Burutu and Ogulagha host communities arising from his failure to mitigate the plights of the youths in the affected host communities.

Signed:

Comrade Mayor Timi Ogobiri, Spokesperson
Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI.