Indigenes of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun communities in Warri South – West Local Government Area of Delta State, have suspended their protest at Otumara flow station being operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.
The Protest was suspended due to the intervention of the Federal Government through its agency, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC led by the Chief Executive, Engr. Komolafe Gbenga
Actual News Correspondent , reports that the protesters had vowed to completely shutdown the 20,000 barrels per day SPDC Facility in Otumara flow station.
The Indigenes of oil rich communities of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun had accused SPDC of contravening relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA and vowed to escalate the protest if the company failed to immediately establish mechanism for the recognition of Otumara Host Community Development Trust by 25th of August 2023.
In response to the escalating protest, the Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC , Mr Gbenga Komolafe an Engineer, on Saturday invited all parties and stakeholders involved for a meeting at the SPDC Otumara Flow Station.
Mr Komolafe who was represented by head Warri Regional NUPRC Office Mr Olusegun Ogunnubi during the meeting, assured the three communities that NUPRC is fully behind them in regards to Host Community Trust.
While revealing that the commission was aware of their protest regarding the name of the Host Community Development Trust, HCDT and composition of the board of trustees of the HCDT, Mr Komolafe disclosed that the commission will be inviting all stakeholders to a meeting to resolve the issues.
He stated that the Commission in line with its statutory mandate on the implementation of the CDT provisions in the PIA, 2021 to ensure peaceful and conducive operating environment for upstream operations has directed that all CDT allegedly initiated to be suspended pending a tripartite meeting on an agreed date by authorized persons of the Communities, NUPRC and SPDC.
He presented a signed press statement on behalf of the Chief Executive of NUPRC.
He requested that the communities as well as all concerned parties should remain calm and allow peace to reign.
Responding to the request by the Chief executive of NUPRC , Mr. Isaac Botosan, representing Ugborodo community, said they will take the message of the commission back to their elders and appealed to them to suspend the 2nd phase of the protest, which was to shut down the flow station and ensure nothing leaves the facility, until the issues are resolved.
He how ever said they will continue to occupy the facility in a peaceful protest without disturbing the company’s Bussiness until the issue is resolved.
During the meeting Chief Ayirimi Emami, Prince Perry Atete, Mr. Isaac Botosan represented Ugborodo community, Mr. Mode Akomah represented Deghele community, while Mr. Smart Edema represented Ugboegungun community.
