Group demands appointment of Ekpeye people into NDDC …Berates oil multinational on security

A group known as Ekpeye Oil and Gas (EOG) Pipelines Host Families Association has held it’s Annual Celebration and Sensitization Programme for the year, 2023 with a call for federal government to include ekpeye sons and daughters in to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

The event which was held on Tuesday at the National Secretariat of the Association along Omoku Road in Ahaoda East local government area of Rivers State attracted the cream of personality from the Ekpeye kingdom

Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Organization- Comrade Dogini Chidi, noted that Ekpeye is one of the biggest contributors to the wealth of the Nation ,stressing that it host about Six Oil Multinationals with about Eight to Nine Licensed Oil Mining Fields.

He name some of the oil field being hosted in the area as OML 21, OML 22, OML 27, OML 28, OML 54, OML 58, OML 60, and OML 61. adding that Ekpeye Ethnic Nation also a host other major Crude Export Lines that holds the wealth of the Nation.

He wonder why the Ekpeyes are never considered for appointments or benefits noting that other groups are benefiting from juicy appointments than the Ekpeyes” the divide and rule tactics adopted by oil Multinationals was responsible for the unending crisis in the land, and has put the people down, and on a disadvantaged position.”

“As a way forward to having a better industrial relationship between Ekpeye people and the Oil Multinationals operating in the area, the Multinationals should give Ekpeye people the opportunity of being employed into various positions and be awarded contracts to, as rightly provided by the Local Content Act, to ameliorate their sufferings.”

The EOG National Chairman berated oil Multinationals on the for the underdevelopment of their Host Communities and lack of social infrastructures and other entitlements, especially, as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that has since been signed into law.

“The Multinationals being referred to here, includes the following: Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Total Energies, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Aradei Holdings Plc (Former Niger Delta Petroleum Resources), Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Power gas Nigeria Limited and Chevron. ”

” Federal Government to consider an Ekpeye Son or Daughter for appointment into the NDDC Board, in view of the quantum of contribution Ekpeye Ethnic Nation has made to the National Earnings.
what is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander, and that it will be a disservice to the people if the Federal Government would continue to treat the Ekpeye people like a subservient group and second class citizens.”

Speaking further when asked about the issue of security concerns often raised by the Oil Multinationals, Comrade Dogini said, that was the purpose and essence of the sensitization; to continue to concientize the youths on the need to stay away from artesinal refining, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalization, and other related vices.

The EOG Boss condemn the unwilling attitude of Oil Multinationals to supporting the Association in carrying out it’s Quarterly Sensitization Programmes. Expressing his chagrin dismay, the EOG Boss said, “I doubt the sincerity of the Companies to curb or end insecurity and Pipeline sabotage in our area. There are several evidences of our communication towards reducing insecurity, pipeline sabotage and oil theft in the land without meaningful response.
I strongly believe there are benefits that accrue to the IOCs by hoisting insecurity in their Host Communities in a bid to extract their Oil without meaningful development and benefit to the people; that must stop”.

He called on the Federal Government and other Regulatory Authorities to impress it upon the Multinational Oil Companies to support programmes aimed at ending insecurity, pipeline sabotage and oil theft in their Host Communities.

The EOG Boss used the opportunity to call on Oil surveillance Contractors to be Community friendly, noting that the “carrot and stick” approach remains a major challenges in the Host Communities.

used as cash cow and settlements for friends and cronies.

Other speakers who spoke at the event include Hon. Ibezhim Green Ogbuleka, Alhaji Abdulrazaak Philip Echeya, Dr. Captain Ogbuewe and Rt. Hon. (Engr) Mc Sunday Ugwu were of the opinion that non violent approach was the way to go in seeking for a better deal for the Ekpeye People.

By: Akujobi Amadi