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OML 40: Egbema youths issue NPDC, Elcrest 14-day ultimatum to shutdown oil facilities

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By Timi Black, WARRI

Aggrieved Egbema Kingdom Youths in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have issued NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture, fourteen days ultimatum to shutdown oil operations in OML 40 over what they described as failure of the companies to implement GMoU signed with various host and impacted communities in the kingdom.

This was contained in a petition sent to the NNPC and Elcrest Nigeria Limited by Egbema Youth Council, EYC, which was signed by Comr. Ebidouwei M. Miyenpirigha, President, Engr. Lawoni G. Dumofaye, Secretary and Comr. Governor Ekpokeme, P.R.O. in Warri.

The angry youths insisted that all GMoUs in the host and impacted communities be reviewed and properly implemented within the fourteen days ultimatum.

The petition reads:”Sequel to our demands, after meeting with all the youths stakeholders in OML40, we hereby give another 14days ultimatum to comply and implement our demands, and your failure to respond to several of our correspondence and implement our earlier demands within the time frame upon the receipt of this letter, we are left with no option than to shutdown NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture operations with a peaceful protest to express our disapproval for your extreme disregard, not only for the revered youths body but the host and impacted Communities.

The statement further said: “That, we acknowledged your management’s responsiveness to human capacity building through the scholarship awarded to the host and impacted Communities in OML40 over the years. However, we call for an upward review of the numbers and stipends for the award of the scholarship quota, for secondary, undergraduates and by extension post graduates level.

“This become expedient for the high cost in our educational institutions and teaming schooling pupulace in our various Communities within your areas of operation and to incorporate more youths in human capacity building scheme and other relevant skill acquisition programmes in accordance with “article 2.1 sub-section B)” of the GMOU between NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture and host and impacted Communities in OML40″.

The angry youths stated: “Non Capital projects allowances/Stipends should be given to the central youth body and all the cluster Communities youth leadership in accordance with Article 2.1 sub-section S for an administrative purposes. Moreover; homage should be paid to Egbema traditional institution appropriately.

“That employment opportunities should be created for our youths in your company as permanent and managerial staff at the head office in Benin and branch office at Warri as leverage to cushion the devastating effect of being idle and to make our youths meaningfully engaged.

“We assure you and your management of qualified and competent youths for job engagement in your company. According to Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (LOCAL CONTENT), that 40% employment should be given to the host Communities.

“That, we make bold our statement having enjoyed the overwhelming supports of our teaming youths and the blessings of the Traditional Council Of Egbema Kingdom to demand for immediate implementation and payment of the three (3) percent welfare funds for our traditional ruler as stipulated in article 6.1 of the Global Memorandum of understanding between NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture and the host Communities in OML40. A letter of approval from the Egbema Traditional Council is herewith attached as annexure A.

“It is also our demands, including approval of cluster Communities and among other things that an urgent review and rejig for the pipeline surveillance contract that had solitarily been awarded to Ocean Marine Solutions Limited without youths inclusion as stakeholders who are familiar with the nooks and crannies of the creeks where oil installations/facilities situate. OML40 is a fundamental error in Egbema kingdom with or no meaningful employment record.

“Therefore, we use this medium to call on your management to have a rethink by including our able-bodied youths at the local base for an effective and a collaborative security work force.

“whilst we pledge our maximum support for the smooth operation of your company in our terrain, we do anticipate your swift attention to our demands highlighted above and we are also aware of alternative measures humanly legitimate with a view to meeting our demands”, they added.

ATTACHED FULL PETITION:

The Managing Director,
Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Ltd,
(A Subsidiary of NNPC)
62/64 Benin Sapele Road,
Benin City, Edo State.

Sir,

14-DAYS ULTIMATUM TO SHUTDOWN NPDC/ELCREST OPERATIONS FOR NON IMPLEMENTATION OF A CONSIDERABLE CONTENTS OF THE GMOU IN OML40 CATCHMENT AREAS

Sequel to our demands, after meeting with all the youths stakeholders in OML40, we hereby give another 14-days ultimatum for your failure to respond to several of our correspondence and failure to either respond or implement our earlier demands within the time frame upon the receipt of this letter, we are left with no option than to shutdown NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture operations with a peaceful protest for your extreme disregard not only for the revered youths body but the host and imparted Communities for your continuous exploration at the detriment of our Communities.

That it is thereby at this juncture, being the primary obligation of the Youth’s body to demand our rights and we hereby demands on behalf of the entire Host and imparted Communities in Egbema kingdom under OML40 operational area
as follows;

1. That, we acknowledged your management’s responsiveness for human capacity building through the scholarship awarded to the host and imparted Communities in OML40 over the years, however, we call for an upward review of the numbers and stipends for the award of the scholarship quota base, for secondary, undergraduates and by extension post graduates level.
This become expedient for the high cost in our educational institutions and teaming schooling pupulace in our various Communities within your area of operations and for incorporation of more youths in human capacity building scheme and other relevant skills acquisition programmes in accordance with “article 2.1 sub-section B)” of the GMOU between NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture and Host and imparted Communities in OML40.

2. Capital Projects: Infrastrustural projects should be built in the host and imparted Communities in OML40 catchment Areas with the 60% fund for capital projects as highlighted in article 6.1. Such as; Community water projects, Farm establishment, Blocks of Classroom and Teachers Quarters, Market, Palace of Traditional Rulers, etc. as also highlighted in “article 2.1 sub-section Ci, C:ii, C:iii, and C:iv” respectively in the GMOU.

3. Community Development Board (CDB) and Community Representative Committee (CRC) should be constituted immediately in order to address proper and effective representation in our area and a credible representative in your firm for more accountability and transparency in accordance with “Article 2.1 sub-section (G and J) and Article 3.3” as stated in the GMOU.

4. Non Capital projects: Allowances/Stipends should be given to the central youth body and all the cluster Communities youth leadership in accordance with “Article 2.1 sub-section S” for our administrative purposes. Moreover; homage should be paid to Egbema traditional institution appropriately.

5. That employment opportunities should be created for our Youths in your company as permanent and managerial staff at the head office in Benin and branch office at Warri as leverage to cushion the devastating effect of being idle and to make our Youths meaningfully engage. We assure you and your management of qualified and competent Youths for job engagement in your company. According to Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development act (LOCAL CONTENT), that 40% employment should be given to the host Communities.

6. That, we make bold our statement haven enjoyed the overwhelming supports of our teaming youths and the blessings of the Traditional Council Of Egbema Kingdom to demand for immediate implementation and payment of the three (3) percent welfare fund for our traditional ruler as stipulated in article 6.1 of the Global Memorandum of understanding between NPDC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture and the host Communities in OML40. A letter of approval from the Egbema Traditional Council is herewith attached as annexure A.

7. It is also our demands including approval of cluster Communities and among other things that an urgent review and rejig for the pipeline surveillance contract that had solitarily been awarded to Ocean Marine Solutions Limited without youths inclusion as stakeholders who are familiar with the nooks and crannies of the creeks where oil installations/facilities situate. OML40 is a fundamental error in Egbema kingdom with or no meaningful employment record. Therefore, we use this medium to call on your management to have a rethink by including our able-bodied Youths at the local base for an effective and a collaborative security work force.

In conclusion sir, whilst we pledge our maximum support for smooth operation of your company in our terrain, we do anticipate your swift attention to our demands highlighted above and we are also aware of alternative measures humanly legitimate with a view to meeting our demands.

Note: If the above demands are left unattended to between now and the end of fourteen(14) days, we shall be left with no other option than to shutdown NDPC/Elcrest Nigeria Limited Joint Venture operations in OML40.

Accept our warm regards.

Yours faithfully,

Comr. Ebidouwei M. Miyenpirigha
President General

Engr. Lawoni G. Dumofaye
Secretary General

Comr. Governor Ekpokeme National P.R.O

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