Delta community accuses NPDC,Elcrest of marginalization

• Wants Delta govt to intervene to avert communal crisis

Leaders of Eregha community (Ologbobubuo), an oil producing community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, have accused the Nigerian Petroluem Development Company, NPDC, and Elcrest Petroleum Company for neglecting the community in its ongoing drilling, exploitation and exploration activities in the area.

The leaders in a statement on Sunday which was made available to newsmen in Sapele, lamented that the Nigerian Petroluem Development Company NPDC and Elcrest Petroleum Company are presently working and undertaking drilling, exploitation and exploration activities in Gbetiokun, but have outrightly failed to involve the people and youths of Eregha community in the operations.

Chief Martins Miyen Lawuru, Tinaberi of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North and leader of Eregha Community, who signed the statement expressed dissatisfaction that NPDC and Elcrest had recognized and involved all other communities in that area except for Eregha community which is one of the oldest community in the area.

He warned that NPDC and Elcrest’s divide and rule tactics could create another communal crisis in the area, and called on Delta State Government and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to intervene to avert possible breach of law and order.

”The people of Eregha community are demanding that NPDC and Elcrest should recognize Eregha community as host community in the ongoing drilling project, exploitation and exploration activities in the area, and also pay all entitlements and arreas to Eregha community as being paid to other neighbouring host communities since last year”,they added.