Egi Gas Emission: Total Vows to Prevent Future Occurrence

Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria has assured the people of Egi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State and its environs that adequate steps will be taken to prevent future gas emission while mitigating the effects on the environment and people.

The Managing director/ECO of Total Upstream companies in Nigeria Mr. Guy Maurice gave the assurance while speaking at the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) and Egi Oil and Gas families and communities in Port Harcourt recently.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank you all for your cooperation during the challenging period of managing the gas eruption at Ibewa. I hereby assure you that all steps will be taken to prevent future occurrence and to mitigate any effect on the environment and people”, Maurice said.

Commenting on the MoU, he said the agreements with Egi people would continue to occupy its pride of place both in content and in execution, adding that the agreements, which are unique remained a benchmark for the oil and gas industry.

He noted that the two agreements when put together would greatly boost infrastructure and skills development as well as scholarships during its lifetime.

Maurice pointed out that there were other derivables in the areas of employment, agriculture, empowerment and welfare covered by the agreement, stressing “there is no doubt that the larger effect of this will be felt all over Egi Land”.

In his address, TEPNG’s deputy managing director, Port Harcourt District, Mr. Denis Berthelot assured of the company’s commitment to the implementation of the MoU and noted that realizing the desired goals of the MoU revolved around a good working environment for the company.

Corroborating the MD’s view, Berthelot added that TEPNG’s investment would touch more lives in Egi communities through infrastructure , agriculture and other initiatives such as scholarships, catch-them-young, IPS, skills acquisition and entrepreneurial support schemes”.

His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Kingdom Elemchukwu Elenwa, the Eze Egi of Ogbaland, in his goodwill message urged the people of Egi to continue to maintain peace, be law-abiding and cooperate with the company as they work towards the implementation of the agreements.

/ssed the need for every project and scheme to be executed in line with the agreement.

According to him, schemes like scholarship and skill acquisition should be provided with adequate monitoring guidelines in place and implemented to the letter.

“I am of the opinion that if the MoU is properly followed up and given due approach it will definitely change Egi from her present status”, he declared.

Vivian-Peace Nwinaene