Total Denies Relocation From Egita

Total Exploration and Production Limited has denied alleged report that it is planning to relocate its oil installation from Egita community affected by the oil and gas blow out from oil facilities in Egiland in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State to other communities following the gas explosion.

The External Communication Manager of Total E & P, Charles Ireone said that the company has no plan to relocate its installation, but rather, it is the company’s priority to bring the situation on ground under control.

He declared: “Total has not at any time contemplated moving the multi-billion naira oil installation from the oil and gas free area in Egita”.

Some communities affected by the oil and gas eruption from oil facilities in Egiland had embarked on a 7-day hunger strike over alleged plan by Total Exploration and Production Limited to relocate its oil installation outside the area.

The people of Egita are demanding that compensations should be paid and proper remediation for the damaged farmland made by the oil company.

“We are saying strongly that Total should not move the rig outside the community’s land so that they would have future benefit of the damages done on their land. By the time Total relocates to another community, the affected people will be denied compensation and other communities would reap the benefits,” they said.

They explained: “Why this demonstration is taking place is that we heard Total has concluded plans to take the rig to Ogbogu  and Akabta or Obiyebe and these communities are not the affected areas. If Total is now telling us that they can not come to Egita, Egita people are ready to die”.

The people also alleged that the distribution of relief materials has not been well co-ordinated, adding “they have stopped us from using matches, we don’t use stove, we don’t cook any longer and our children are sick, so we need help, we are suffering in hunger and we don’t go to farm again”.

Shedie Okpara