Delta Resolves NPDC, Host Communities Rift

The Deputy Governor of
Delta, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, says the state Government was happy with the resolution of the long-drawn dispute between the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Urhobo/Isoko communities which led to the recent re-opening of operation of the company.
Otuaro who thanked both parties for sheathing their swords, had stepped into the dispute at the Governor’s office Annex, Warri on June 27, at the instance of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who Otuaro said was determined to operate a people oriented and people participatory government.
“It is pursuant to this that as a government, we thought it wise to call on you for this meeting. We believe just as the present administration is strongly concerned about the interest of all Deltans, so is the production of oil and has that form the basis upon which Delta State Government can deliver on her manifesto to Deltans”, he said, stressing that there must be a meeting point between the interest of the communities as well as that of operators of the facilities.
He stated that he was glad to hear from NPDC that the facilities were opened and workers were back to work and commended the communities and the company for putting behind their differences in an MoU signed by the parties.
The Executive Director of NPDC, Engr. Kris Ugwu, who represented the company said NPDC would henceforth live up to its obligations, promising that the company would by next week pay up outstanding operational fees for 2004 and look forward to commence same for the first quarter of 2015.
It would be recalled that the operations of NPDC were shut following strong agitation by its host communities for the company to live up to its obligations as spelt out in a joint MoU it entered with the community.
The communities had alleged that NPDC denied them job opportunities, contract awards, as well as development projects.