AMGBADUBA COMMENDS PEACE DEAL BETWEEN OML-42 OPERATORS AND HOST COMMUNITIES

The twelve host communities to the Oil Mining Lease, OML-42 operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC and joint partners have been commended for embracing peace in the resolution of issues that led to the shut down of operations at the flow station.

The Delta state Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, who presided over a peace meeting held at the Government House Annex in Warri, praised the communities for agreeing to open the flow station for normal operations.

Prince Amgbaduba disclosed that the decision by the host communities followed a truce brokered by the Delta State Government between the communities and the joint partners of the OML 42.

The Oil and Gas Commissioner, who was accompanied by the Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Mrs. Nkem Ajufo and the Director, Local Content, Mr. Aweka Avwainaghagha, said the meeting was to resolve the issues that led to the shut down of the OML-42 on Thursday August 15, 2019 by the host communities.

Briefing newsmen after the peace meeting held behind closed doors, Prince Amgbaduba disclosed that the host communities and the joint partners had agreed to the resolutions taken.

The agreement reached according to the Commissioner would see the communities reopening the OML-42 for operations within the shortest possible time.

Prince Amgbaduba expressed appreciation for the speedy resolution of the disagreement and commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for providing the platform for the realisation of the peace deal.

The affected twelve host communities were represented by their Chairmen, Secretaries and Public Relations Officers.

The OML-42 joint partners, NPDC and NECONDE also had their representatives.

Some of the leaders of the host communities confirmed the agreement saying they were ready to keep to their own side of the bargain provided the OML-42 joint partners did not renege on their side.

The NPDC holds 55% equity in the OML-42 joint venture while NECONDE has 45%.