Niger Delta Communities Deny Threatening Saipem, Others​

By Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba 

Ijaw communities across Delta and Bayelsa States have denied ever issuing any notice to Sapiem and other oil companies operating in their communities to quit or face dire consequences.

Oil-rich coastal communities of Ojobo, Ogbotobo and Tarakiri Cluster Development Board (TCDB) comprising Egbemo Angalabiri Ojobo, Ogbotobo, Agbayama, Agbidiama and other satellite communities spread across Burutu and Ekeremo Local Government Areas of Delta and Bayelsa States, respectively, said at no time did they issue Saipem and others such notice.

The communities acknowledged the fact that the different oil firms were contributing positively to their local economies especially through various projects they were presently executing under the Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solution Project (SSAGS).

They therefore, warned: “Those fanning the embers of war” between the different oil producing communities and oil firms to desist immediately.

Their common position on the subject was contained in separate statements made available to newsmen in Warri at the weekend and duly signed by Chief Bekewei Warekromor (Amananaowei of Ojobo community); Mr. Tari Areprekumo (Chairman, Ojobo community); Chief Perry George (Ogbotobo CT Chairman); and, Dr Prince Jude Ebibokefie (Chairman, TCDB).

Specifically, the community leaders explained that the issue of some contractual irregularities between them and Italian oil contracting firm, Saipem, did not exist.

There was also no iota of truth in the allegation that the leadership of the communities were mobilising their youths to demonstrate at the embassies simply to embarrass Sapiem, the statements said.

Moreover, they denied that the communities in the locality had raised questions about being denied whatever was due to their respective communities since the SSAGS project commenced, saying only mischief makers could threaten shutdown of oil facilities in the communities under the guise of purported breach in contractual agreement.   

One of the statements noted: “As a people, we did not at any time request or call on SPDC to stop Saipem from handling its oil and gas projects within our communities. It is also not true that our youths are being mobilized by us to protest in embassies against Saipem’s continued presence in our communities.

“We could never have done so because there has been no basis for that. We further deny the allegation that Saipem ignited communal clashes in our communities and describe this as false alarm by relevance-seeking individuals who lack the competitive spirit. We are working with Saipem to deliver the SSAGS project.”

On the alleged irregularities in contractual agreement, the community leaders pointed out that the TCDB dialogued and agreed through Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and Freedom to Operate (FTO) agreements with SPDC and the contractors on the terms for execution of the project, before commencement of work.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all FTO related sub-contractible activities as awardable to the communities have never been denied the communities. Also, opportunities for the award of subcontracts had been and continue to be offered to competent contractors from our communities in a fair manner”, another statement explained.

Nevertheless, the communities debunked statements in certain recent publications including the allegation that “Chief Kenneth Obuku, Chairman, TCDB Board of Trustees, a true son of Ijawland  in connivance with the oil firm has hijacked subcontracts meant for the indigenes” of the area.