Three communities in Warri South West local government on Wednesday threatened to shutdown Shell Petroleum Development company,SPDC flow station in Delta for alleged refusal to negotiate the implementation of Petroleum industry Act,PIA with them .
The communities that made the threat during a peaceful protest at Otumara Flow Station operated by SPDC
are Ugborodo, Ugboegugun and Deghele, operating under the aegis of Otumara Host Community Trust (OHCT) .
Actual News correspondent reports that the protesters gave SPDC 48 hours from wednesday to speak with them or risk the shutdown of its flow station
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was signed into law on August 16, 2021, with the aim of establishing good governance, best practices, and ease of doing business in the Oil and Gas sector.
This is why the Ugborodo, Ugboegugun and Deghele communities operating under the aegis of Otumara Host Community Trust (OHCT) wants SPDC to negotiate the implementation of the Petroleum industry Act, PIA with them .
The protesters claim to have made several attempts to meet with the company on the issue but to no avail .
Spokesman of the protesters, Mr. Alex Eyengho said they had written several letters seeking for a discussion about the implications of the PIA but the communities are yet to get any response from the company.
He said they intend to shut down the Flow Station should the management of SPDC fail to discuss with them.
He claimed that Otumara Flow Station produces 20,0000 barrels per day , noting that if they shutdown the flow station it will cost the country much hence the several peaceful steps been taken by the communities in resolving the issue.
Mr. Eyengho disclosed that, parts of the issues to be discussed with the company is the recognition and registration of Otumara Host Community Trust (OHCT) which is autonomous and independent as spelt out in the act.
The Vice Chairman of Deghele Community Youth
Mr. Anthony Mene Bojoh and the National Vice Chairman of Ugboegungun Olufemi Edema explained that the three communities decided to be under one platform known as Otumara Host Community Trust (OHCT) to make the implementation of the act easier for them.
He said the OHCT is independent and any negotiations should be done with their leaders and should not be lumped into any group or clusters as being implemented by SPDC warning that anything short of their demands will be resisted.
Efforts to reach the management of SPDC over the issue proved abortive .
