OML 42 Host Communities write Buhari, vow to shut down NEPL/NECONDE over pollution

OML 42 Host Communities write Buhari, vow to shut down NEPL/NECONDE over pollution 

15th March, 2023

Open Letter To His Excellency,  President  Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)

His Excellency,

Gen Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,

President and 

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria, Presidential Villa,

Aso Rock,

FCT

Abuja 

 

Your Excellency, Sir,

CONTINUOUS DESTRUCTION OF OML 42 ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES BY NEPL/NECONDE ENERGY IN DELTA STATE 

We, the undersigned executive members of OML 42 Host Communities Forum wish to draw the attention of our indefatigable President to the continuous activities of NNPC E&P limited (NEPL)/NECONDE ENERGY in the OML 42 Field Asset that creates frequent pipeline leaks leading to the continuous destruction and degradation of our environment and means of livelihoods.

Mr President, it is imperative to inform you that we have made several complains,  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.

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 has 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 section 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.

Your Excellency, kindly permit us to express our profound appreciations, for your understanding of our plight, and  your anticipated intervention, please.

Signed for and on behalf of the 14 host communities in OML 42 hosting 

JONES CREEK Flowstation 

ODIDI Flowstation 

BATAN Flowstation 

EGWA 1:Flowstation 

EGWA 2: Flowstation 

Winfree Atemubaghan

Chairman 

OML 42 communities forum- Odidi Field 

Francis Ayeku

General Secretary 

OML 42 Communities Forum- Jones Creek Field 

Chief (Engr) Samson Oyimi

Public Relations Officer 

OML 42 Communities Forum- Batan Field 

Victor Tonlagha 

Vice Chairman, OML 42 Communities Forum- Egwa:1

Mr Touyo Megbauteran

Assist Secretary 

OML 42 Communities Forum-Egwa: 2

Hon Dr Shadrack Otuara 

Adviser, 

OML 42 Communities Forum 

Mr Prince Okrikpa 

Adviser 

OML 42 Communities Forum 

Cc 

* Group Chief Executive Officer

NNPC Limited Tower 

Abuja 

* His Excellency, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa 

Executive Governor 

Delta State 

Asaba 

* Managing Director 

NNPC E&P Limited 

Benin City 

Edo State 

* The Commission Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Abuja 

* The Chairman/GMD, Neconde Energy Limited, Nestoil Tower, Lagos 

* The Asset/Deputy Project Manager, JPMT-OML 42, Edjeba-Warri, Delta State 

* The Project Manager, JPMT, Amaranta Building, Warri, Delta State.