National

Pollution: OML 42 Host Communities Write Buhari, Threaten Shut Down of NEPL/NECONDE ENERGY Facilities in Delta

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2023

Aggrieved Host Communities of OML 42 in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state have written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over the continuous environmental destruction by the activities of NNPC E&P limited (NEPL)/NECONDE ENERGY.

The letter entitled: “CONTINUOUS DESTRUCTION OF OML 42 ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES BY NEPL/NECONDE ENERGY IN DELTA STATE”, said the affected communities had made several complaints, representations and meetings with the Management of NEPL/NECONDE with a view of addressing the continuous environmental pollution and destruction but all efforts had proved abortive.

The letter dated 15th March 2023 was signed by 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.

The protesting communities stated that they are constrained to bring to the notice Mr president of reported plans by NEPL/NECONDE to embark on repair work on sections of the Trans Forcados Pipelines (TFP) which run from OML 42 to Forcados Terminal in Burutu LGA of Delta State, without recourse to its negative implications to communities and the environment.

The communities added that the TFP Pipeline which was constructed in the early 1960s had outlived its useful lifespan, noting that the refusal of the NNPC to replace it had led to the continuous pollution of the environment and destruction of the ecosystem.

The aggrieved Host Communities strongly appealed to President Buhari to save their lives by directing the GCEO NNPC limited to compel NEPL and NECONDE to commence full replacement of the said pipeline rather than section-repair works that would not stop further leakages.

“This line TFP is one of the major lines destroying our environment because it has expired and cannot withstand the pressure of crude oil on the line”, they added.

The protesters in their letter copied the Group’s, Chief Executive Officer
NNPC Limited Tower
Abuja, His Excellency, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa,
Executive Governor of
Delta State, 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 and the Project Manager, JPMT, Amaranta Building, Warri, Delta State.

The statement reads in part, “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 complaints, representations and meetings with the Management of NEPL/NECONDE with a view of addressing these activities, but all efforts have proved abortive. However, after critical consultation with all stakeholders in our communities, the following resolutions have been reached:

“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, Pipeline vandalism and pollution of our water bodies have been drastically reduced.

“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 in the early 1960s and has 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 withstand 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

“Mr President, it is worthy of note that NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL) and Neconde Energy Limited have 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 the genuine implementation process of the PIA, failure of which will amount to the shutdown of operational activities in the OML 42 Asset.

“Mr President, it will interest you to note that all communities-based contracts are being awarded to the 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 to 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”.

Read the letter in full

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 complaints, representations and meetings with the Management of NEPL/NECONDE to address these activities, but all efforts have proved abortive. However, after critical consultation with all stakeholders in 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, Pipeline vandalism and pollution of our water bodies have 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 in the early 1960s and has 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 withstand 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 have 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 the genuine implementation process of the PIA, failure of which will amount to the 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 the 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 to 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 permits us to express our profound appreciation, 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