OPL281: Group Call on FG, NNPC to Revoke license from TCN PLC Over lack of capacity to operate
Warri_____ A group under the aegis of Host Communities Right Protection Movement (HCRPM) in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, to as a matter of urgency revoke OPL281 contract from Transnational Corperation of Nigeria PLC, over what it described as inefficiency as well as lack of capacity to operate since the oil bloc was awarded to the company in 2008.
The group made the call on Tuesday 18th May, 2021 in Burutu lsland immediately after meeting with host communities, noted that the call became necessary based on the facts that the company Transnational Corporation of Nigeria PLC lack the manpower and the technological Know-How to operate the oil bloc since it was awarded to them over thirteen years ago.
The group stressed that the host communities had given the company Freedom To Operate (FTO) since 2016, but unfortunately the company has done nothing up to date simply because they lacked the capacity to delve into the oil and gas sector.
They however, urged President Buhari led federal government as well as NNPC to withdraw OPL281 contract from Transnational Corporation of Nigeria PLC and reassign it to a competent indigenous companies that have the experience in the oil and gas sector to operate.
Reacting to the development, President of the group, Mr. Timpamowei Preye, said that since Transnational Corperation of Nigeria PLC, acquired OPL281 located within the waters and lands of Burutu Local Government Area, they have been deceiving the host Communities with the false hope of entries to develop the oil bloc since 2008. He noted that the company have been playing one prank or the other to deceive the Host Communities in one hand, and the regulating institutions on the other end.
According to him, said: " It is appalling and heart-throbing to note that Transnational Corperation of Nigeria PLC, operators of OPL281, located within the territorial waters and lands of Burutu Local Government Area have been constantly deceiving the host Communities with the false hope of developing the block since 2008. From the above realization, we are calling on the Federal, State and Local Government agencies of Nigeria and their agencies responsible for the administration of Nigeria oil and gas as a matter of urgency revoke OPL281 from Transnational Corperation of Nigeria and reassign it to a more indigenous companies with the experience in the oil and gas sector. It should be noted that all the host Communities are peaceful and accommodating and ever ready to accept any indigenous company ready for full industrial operations"
The group further stated that the host Communities have given Transnational Corperation of Nigeria the freedom to operate (FTO) since 2016, but up to date, nothing has been done on site simply because they lack the capacity and the technological know-how to delve into the oil and gas sector. The group press further their demand that until OPL281 is revoked and reassigned to indigenous companies that have the requisite capacity, they will keep pushing on and involve their legislators to come into the matter. They said, while others are benefiting from their oil blocks because their operators have come to start, Transnational Corperation of Nigeria are sitting in a block that was assigned to them since 2006.
Host Communities Right Protection Movement (HCRPM) further threatened to embark on a one thousand man match to the State capital, Asaba and extend same to Abuja if their demands are not met.
It is a policy in the oil and gas sector that when an oil block is allocated to a company, after 10 years if the company fails to develop it, the federal government is at liberty to revoke it, the statement adds.
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