EOG Warns NAOC Against Trespass . . . Calls Total E&P, NLNG, SPDC, NDPR For Increased Presence In Ekpeye Land

by Romanghan John

The National Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association (EOG), Comrade Dogini Chidi has called on Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to dialogue with the families and communities that were affected by the OB/OB-Rumuji Abandoned Line 2006 illegally passed by the company.

Dogini warned Agip that the period of using NLNG as a cover up to perpetrate the illegality is gone, as according to him; ‘the hide and seek game is over.’

He urged NAOC to without delay engage the Families/Communities for discussions in fulfilling the statutory laws for land acquisition, positing that those who own the Land ought to benefit and be known as Host Families and Landlords.

The EOG Boss , during a media briefing at the EOG National Secretariat, Ahoada yesterday,
April 14, lamented the failure of the companies to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He called on all the oil and gas multinationals operating in Ekpeye Land to heed to the call of EOG by partnering with it to ensure the development of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.

On the issue of MoU negotiation and subsequent signing, Dogini said; “I use this opportunity to commend the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) for the intended/ongoing MOU negotiation, where the Families and Communities are part of the MOU process. This remains the only way to ensure lasting peace among the various stakeholders”

The EOG Boss reiterated his earlier call for the increased, deliberate involvement of Ekpeye sons and daughters in the companies through employment, and empowerment opportunities.

According to him; “Our Ekpeye Sons and Daughters should be meaningfully engaged by the Companies. There is no means of survival since our environment has been degraded due to oil exploration, exploitation and spillage which has rendered our farm lands useless.

“Agriculture remains the main stay of economic activities in Ekpeye Land and the ecosystem has been destroyed, which leaves us with no other source of livelihood except for them to employ.”

He opined that EOG remains committed and dedicated to drive development in Ekpeye Land through collective effort, reminding all that “No society grows when there is rancour and acrimony.”

“We call on all the companies operating in Ekpeye Land to adopt the approach used by NLNG to ensure peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the people.

“We are advocating for direct MOU that will involve the various Landlord Families/ Communities of all the Oil and Gas Multinational Companies operating in Ekpeye Land for them to have a functional MOU for effective, efficient and sustainable development,” he stated.

The Ekpeye development advocate frowned at the lackadaisical attitude of the IOCs to invest in human capital and infracstrutural development of Ekpeye sons, daughters and land.

“It is so disheartening and surprising that, the companies operating in Ekpeye Land have shown no commitment towards ending the divide and rule method employed by the companies to cause disaffection among our people.

“As an interest group leader, I am duty bound to ensure the right thing is done at the right time. We can no longer tolerate the recalcitrant attitude of some companies,” he said.

The EOG head expressed displeasure on the attitude of some of the companies that have allowed oil spill to spread across Ekpeye Land, noting that the hardship occasioned by the excessive flow of the spilled crude and gas has affected the environment with little or no attention from SPDC and NAOC.

He said; “It is shocking and unbelievable that the IOCs are not seeking for solutions to safe guard their facilities, they rather seem not to be interested while they parade security upon security in pretense to combat the illicit petroleum activities.

“I am very worried over the attitude of the IOCs in responding to sensitive issues of such magnitude, their silence specifically and categorically gives us the impression that they are the ones fanning the embers of social disorder in a deliberate attempt to divert attention, silence and deny the people of their rights.”

He urged all sons and daughters of Ekpeye to support EOG in its drive to ensure that the people are gainfully employed in all the companies operating in Ekpeye Land.

The EOG helmsman reiterated the group’s stand and resolve that, all MoU should be written through the Families and Communities as that will bring lasting peaceful solution to the Families/Communities, adding that a Community Trust/Development Fund be established to avoid further complicity .

He assured that henceforth, MoUs are to be monitored for proper implementation by EOG as an Interest Group during the formulation process of the MoU as most companies stage manage the process to suit their evil desire.

Dogini appealed to those Families and Communities that forwarded complaints against TOTAL E&P on the issue of OML 58 and O.U.R Pipelines are not swept under the carpet but being affected by the Covid 19.

He revealed that the issue of the Covid 19 is used against the Landlord Families and Communities to make away with the money budgeted for them without even considering the plight of those Families that depend upon community contract for survival.

He lamented that the Host Families and Communities are going through Inhuman treatment from the hands of wicked and heartless black managers who want to live that others may die.