Sunday, November 18, 2012

Delta community threatens to shut down Chevron flow station


WE have also resolved to cripple the Abiteye flowstation and other facilities of Chevron in our area if they fail to stay away from the affairs of our community

A PACT between the American oil giant, Chevron and some oil-rich communities in the Niger Delta is brewing disaffection.

Tension is mounting in Gbaramatu/Egbemaa communities in Delta State, following a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) entered into between Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and the host communities.

There were strong indications over the weekend that crisis may soon break out in the communities as controversy trails the renewed contract.

Chevron had, some weeks ago, renewed its GMoU with outgoing executives of the Egbema/Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF). But  one of the communities that constituted the EGCDF have threatened to cripple the oil conglomerate's Abiteye flowstation over what they alleged to be Chevron's unsolicited meddling in their internal affairs.

Investigations reveal that more oil facilities belonging to Chevron may be under attack following the threats.

The community, over the weekend, insisted that Chevron had  entered into the GMoU with the wrong people, declaring it null and void since the contentious issues for which they had withdrawn their backing of the representatives of the EGCDF were yet to be resolved.

In a statement signed by Chief Jeffrey E. Ojogun, Chairman of Amadiwei of Benikrukru Community and General Secretary, Fanty G. Wariyai, the community also warned all those who signed the renewed GMoU to steer clear from all affairs of their community as their action did not get the backing of the entire community.

They also warned CNL to stop meddling in the affairs of Benikrukru Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The community accused Chevron of trying to cause disaffection and disunity in the community and said it will mobilise women and children in the days ahead to stop the activity of the Abiteye flow station and other facilities of the company in their domain.

They document claimed that the aggreement was signed by people who got fake  mandate to sit on their through “forging letter nominating persons from Oboro and Nei-Bralabor quarters... as the peace-loving Benikrukru Community never instructed them to do so.”

Hence they stated “that those that signed the GMoU are hereby sanctioned.”
Given the contencious issues around the allegedly, suspect aggreement with the oil firm, some traditional rulers' positions have been affected. 

"This sanction also affects Pa John Ogio Okirika, the Amakosuwie of Benikrukru Community, who has been stripped of this position and now replaced by Pa Abaka from Nei-Bralabor quarters. This action also affect Rev Emman Imeleye,” stated writers of the statement.

They warned that: "Nobody should deal with the two of them anymore until further notice, and the appointment of Rev. Imeleye in IRDC has been withdrawn forthwith."

Further, the document claimed thus: "Chevron is trying to cause disaffection and disunity in our community. The company must put a halt to all dealings with the affected persons so that our community will know peace.

"We will no longer accept this divide and rule tactics from Chevron, enough is enough and a word is enough for the wise as we do not know the business of Chevron in the affairs of our community.

“We have also resolved to cripple the Abiteye flowstation and other facilities of Chevron in our area if they fail to stay away from the affairs of our community."

But CNL's General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr Deji Haastrup noted during the signing ceremony that all issues that hindered the signing of the agreement had been resolved amicably and thanked the Delta State government, traditional rulers and officials of EGCDF for making it possible.

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