Hundreds of Women and youths from 28 Host Communities in Oil Mining Lease 34, Delta State, on Thursday 3rd April, 2025, shutdown Utorogu Gas Plant and operations of NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and ND Western Limited.
Speaking to newsmen at Utorogu Gas Plant, Comrade Efe Okovwurie, Advisor, OML34 Host Communities Forum, said they were protesting against outright neglect, disrespect and deliberate abandoning of corporate social responsibility by NEPL and ND Western Limited.
Okovwurie said the people are very angry and not happy with management of NEPL and ND Western Limited for not fulfilling their obligations to the host communities.
According to him, the Host Communities had given one month ultimatum to NEPL and ND Western Limited to implements all agreements with the communities.
He said, “ The Host Communities faults NEPL/ND Western Limited, for secretly opening an account with Zenith Bank at Ikpoba-Hill, Benin City, Edo State, and depositing the PIA 3% Funds without the knowledge and consent of the HCDT BOT in OML 34. The Host Communities are demanding that the Funds must be immediately moved from the Zenith Bank at Ikpoba Hill, Edo State, to Zenith Bank in Ughelli, Delta State, that was opened by the OML34 HCDT Board of Trustees”
“ The Payment of the accumulated five years Scholarship arrears to deserving indigenes for 2020, 2021,2022, 2023 AND 2024. The release of 2023 GMoU Capacity Building Funds of N25Million to empower indigenes of Host Communities.Payment of Land Rents arrears to families of land owners/communities housing Oil and Gas facilities in OML34, for the period of 2022, 2023 AND 2024”
“ Resolving the issue of casualization of workers and harmonizing welfare package for the indigenes of the OML 34 host communities. Recalling of the two Drivers that were sacked unjustly by the Company and should be allowed to resume in their duty posts”
“ Release of Audited Report on 3% Operating Expenditures (OPEX) to the BOT and leadership of the host communities.Finally, the immediate release of PIA Funds for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 to the HCDT BOT for commencement of development projects in the 28 host communities”
He called on Federal Government, Delta State Government and relevant agencies to prevail on NPEL and ND Western Limited, adding that the leaders and President Generals/Chairmen of the Host Communities had written letters, but as usual the Companies paid deaf ears to their collective demands.
“ It is unfortunate that the 28 host communities in OML 34 have been engaged in a running battle with NEPL/NDW over issues that borders on failed promises and refusal to implement decisions reached between the Company’s Management and the leadership/indigenes of the OML 34 host communities”
“ On 12th February, 2025, a meeting was held between the 28 host communities and representatives of NEPL/NDW, where a ONE MONTH period was given and agreed that the Company implements the demands. The ONE MONTH ultimatum expired on 14th March, 2025, and the Company disobeyed and did not implement the demands, necessitating the protest and shutdown on 3rd April, 2025”
