Delta Ijaw Communities Disown NGO, Debunk Demanding N50bn from NEPL, ELCREST Over Environment Pollution

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Two major Ijaw oil-producing communities, Opuama and Polobubo (Tsekelewu) in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have debunked demanding N50 billion as compensation from the Nigeria Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and the ELCREST over alleged environmental pollution.

The denial followed reports credited to a Non-Governmental Organization based in Warri, Save the Earth and Secure the Future (SESF), which had criticised the degradation of their environment due to alleged activities of certain oil companies in the communities.

The NGO, in a statement signed by Mr. Nehemiah Tobolayefa and Mrs. Tari Gideon had claimed the people of Opuama and Polobubo (Tsekelewu) had suffered strange illnesses and avoidable deaths due to air, water, and land pollution.

They accused the oil firms of allegedly masterminding what they called “relentless oil spills and also for dumping hazardous drilling waste in Opuama Field, OML 40, while failing to carry out the necessary clean-up of spills,” demanding fifty billion naira as compensation”.

But reacting to the stance of the NGO in a statement issued yesterday, leaders of Opuama and Polobubo decried, what they described as “unwarranted and malicious publication aimed at dragging the names of NEPL and ELCREST oil companies into a negative publicity crisis”.

They described the NGO as a “faceless group of individuals” out to ‘dupe oil companies’ by using the names of communities in order to reap what they did not sow.

The statement was signed by Chief December Aweh (Chairman of Oil and Gas Opuama), Genesis Gbenmo, PRO, Rev’d Gabriel Ojiko, Chairman of Oil and Gas Polobubo (Tsekelewu), Amb. Dango Anthony, PRO, Polobubo (Tsekelewu), Gulf Beke Johnson, PRO of Opuama Welfare Executives.

Others who signed the statement include Miyensinde Okotie, Assistant Secretary, Opuama Welfare Executives; Pst Marvis Tebeke-emi Ofiyai, President, Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Welfare Executives; Amb. Egbor Emomotimi Bob-joe, Secretary, Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Welfare Executives; Chief Shola Korokoro, President, Opuama Bloc Executives; and Tanga Japhet, Secretary, Opuama Bloc Executives. Asekutu Saturday is the secretary of the Polobubo Bloc Executives, while Paul Toruwei is the president.

They maintained the ancient communities of Opuama and Polobubo were very peaceful and law-abiding; therefore, they won’t condescend so low as to make frivolous demands from companies that have been living up to expectations in terms of their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) and mode of operations.

According to the statement, “Over the years both communities have been enjoying very sound and cordial working relationships from NEPL and ELCREST and as such it would be absolutely irresponsible for the communities to make such laughable and outrageous demands and allegations.

“Both NEPL and ELCREST have been up and doing regarding their corporate social responsibilities, they have executed several meaningful and developmental projects and some are on-going in the two sister communities.

“Where we have had any issues or dissatisfaction the communities and the companies have always come to a round table to reach a compromise.”

On the issue of masterminding relentless oil spills and dumping of hazardous drilling waste on Opuama Field OML 40 as claimed by the faceless individuals, the leaders of the two communities said it was quite ridiculous and not true and therefore “we are here to set the records straight to avoid creating bad blood between NEPL, ELCREST and their host communities.

“The two oil companies have been very mindful of their mode of operations and it is in tune with world best practices and also as enshrined in the country’s PIA and the communities (FTO) Freedom to Operate.

“On the issue of strange illnesses and deaths plaguing the communities due to air, water and land pollution, it is a mere fabrication by the faceless group to attract undue attention.

“Of course, there are no possibilities of a 100% spill-free operation, but not at the scale claimed by the faceless group.

“It might interest the general public and the world to know that the indigent people of Opuama and Polobubo are very sound and safe, no unusual illnesses or deaths plaguing the communities as a result of oil exploration.

“Finally, the Opuama and Polobubo leadership wishes to advise the faceless individuals to take their trade of white lies and false fabrication to other communities because both communities believe in standing for the truth at all times”, the statement further read.