Monarch Threatens To Sue Firm Over MoU

The Paramount Ruler of
Ogbele Community in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Evans Onyebuchi Awuji, has threatened to take legal actions against Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Plc (NDPR) operating in his domain, for failing to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Paramount Ruler who was speaking in an interview with The Tide in his palace said NDPR which had operated in his community for two years refused to implement the MoU it signed with the community.
Eze Awuji, stressed that the company had not executed any developmental project in his community since it commenced operations.
According to him, the company has refused to gainfully employ indigenes as captured in Labour and Local Content Acts, adding that no developmental project had been executed by the company in his community.
“Our youths are not employed, contracts are shared amongst staff, instead of empowering the people. It is very pathetic and inhuman”, he said.
Eze Awaji further questioned how the acclaimed 5% Development fund for host communities were shared and measured, pointing out that his community had not been included in the management of these funds.
He further accused NDPR of using what he described as “Divide and Rule” tactics to cause disaffection in the community, warning that legal action would be instituted against the company to correct the anomaly.

Iragunima Benice