OML 40:  Belief-Gbene drags NPDC/ELCREST, oil committee, others to Delta State Government 

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By Binebai Princewill

The battle for justice and recognition of Belief-Gbene as host community in the ongoing Dredging, Drilling, Pipeline Installation and Exploration activities in OML40, Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local government Area of Delta State has taken a different dimension as members of the community drags companies handling the project before the Delta State Government.

It would be recalled that executive members of Belief-Gbene had earlier issued a three days ultimatum for handlers of the project to recognize and treat them as host community in ongoing project or face a showdown from the community, but following the swift intervention of relevant stakeholders in the state, Belief-Gbene have taken their case to the Delta State Government for intervention.

The community had particularly dragged NPDC/ELCREST, the oil committee of OML40 and other critical stakeholders before the office of the Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Emman Ambgaduba for intervention to avoid any breach of peace.

The three days ultimatum elapsed on Tuesday but due to the intervention of stakeholders Belief-Gbene have registered their case before the Delta State Government.

Meanwhile, members of Belief-Gbene have vowed that they will neither rest nor sleep until what is due them is given to them as host community in OML40.

The letter read in full bellow:

Commisioner, Oil and Gas

Delta State, Asaba.

Prince Emman Ambgaduba.

Sir,

Acts of deprivation, oppression that could lead to breach of peace in OML40, Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

We the entire members and executives of BELIEF-GBENE COMMUNITY hereby write to draw the attention of your esteemed office over the unbearable, lingering and unacceptable oppression and injustice meted out on our dear community which is one of the biggest host communities that has been intentionally and unjustifiably excluded to benefit supposed oil proceeds in OML40 over the years particularly in the ongoing Dredging, Drilling, Pipleline Installation and Exploration Job/Process in OML40.

We took our time to write to your performing office as we have written series of letters to the Oil Committee Set up to take care of all host communities where the job is taking place but all to no avail including the companies NPDC/ELCREST handling the project and the leadership of Polobubou and Opuama communities.

The most saddest of it; is the invasion and encroachment, intentional denial of our community (Belief-Gbene) host community right and necessary benefits of the on going dredging, drilling, pipeline installation and exploration job/process at OML40 NPDC/ELCREST which has direct impact on our dear community since march 2019.

Our honorable commissioner sir, we are using this medium to inform your office and also register our total displeasure over the undescribable act of oppression and denial of our dear community right as others are already benefiting and we don’t know what could be the reason over this internal and external marginalization.

However, such act of excluding our community being one of the biggest host communities in 0ML40 that have been uncomfortably affected by the direct impact of her operations; negates the fundamental principal of equality as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Commisioner sir, our demand is that of fairness, egalitarianism, justice and the right to be compensated by companies operating in our village without discussing with us and be treated as host community. As law abiding citizens, we don’t want to take the laws into our hands, hence we write for your swift action before it degenerate into something else.

We will no longer accept neither allow any further operations and payment of funds by NPDC/ELCREST OML40 pending till BELIEF-GBENE is given her necessary benefits and right.

We want to also commend you for making the office of the honourable commissioner for Oil and Gas, Delta State more active compared to previous era, just few month upon assuming the office, you have done a lot for our people by avoiding chaos between host communities and multinational oil companies.

Conclusively, we know that our honourable commissioner is a man positioned by God in that office to deliver justice for the oppressed by doing what is right, we are therefore hoping for a swift intervention where everyone will be treated equally. A stitch in time they say saves nine.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.

Signed for Belief-Gbene community;

COMRADE FAMOUS BELIEF WONIKIRI-EBI

(_EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN BELIEF-GBENE COMMUNITY)

ENGINEER CLETUS KILEGHA EBIDINANA

(GENERAL SECRETARY BELIEF-GBENE COMMUNITY)

PST. ENGR. MICHAEL MAYE

( PRO BELIEF- GBENE COMMUNITY )

Nevertheless, Chairman of Belief-Gbene, Comr. Famous Belief Wonikiri-ebi hinted our reporter that he is under pressure to take action on the matter by mobilizing to stop the operations in the area if they are not recognized and treated as host community.

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