NNPC to Adopt OML-25 Community Engagement Strategy as a Model in Resolving Oil Dispute in Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), says it would adopt the Community Engagement Strategy used in resolving the OML-25 dispute as a Model in settling oil dispute in the country.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari disclosed this during the formal re-opening of the facility in Kula, Rivers State. He said community engagement is the solution to resolving dispute between oil companies and the Host Communities.

The GMD regretted that the shutdown of the OML 25 Flow Station for over two years led to loss of over $1.7 Billion oil revenue and lack of peace in the community.

 He said: “there was absolute breakdown of law and order in the community as a result of which we had a shutdown of the Belema Flow Station for over two years leading to the loss of 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day and the peace of the community, and in monetary terms is about $1.7 Billion which could have been put to use for both the community and the rest of the federation. What we have done is to engage the community and its leadership to make sure that the dispute between them and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is brought to a closure, as a result of which there would be more community engagement, and therefore they have agreed to vacate the facility to allow oil production to continue in this facility. Our immediate priority is peace for the community and not oil production, but we know that ultimately when peace comes oil production will come back and we can see a return of about 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day

The GMD of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari also assured that under the new Joint Venture arrangement on the operation of OML-25 between the NNPC, SPDC and Belemaoil Producing Limited, the development of the Host Communities and the welfare of the people will be prioritized.

He said: “I am happy that when we sat with Belemaoil and SPDC, we said to them look we have to end this standoff so that the community can have peace. We are not looking for money, we are not looking for oil, we are looking for peace for this community. Belemaoil would be involved, he has known the terms, we are going to publish the agreement that we have with him which simply says we are going to involve him in the operation. Whatever is for the community it will come through him, that is the agreement we have. So whatever you don’t see, hold Jack responsible. So, Jack promise me today that you will take these people, let them go back to their homes, if it doesn’t work, hold me and Jack responsible.”

On how soon oil production is expected to resume in the area, the GMD said “the re-entry process would commence, they will validate the state of damages done to the facility over time. I am sure that within the shortest possible time SPDC would come up with a plan.”

Speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, sued for peace in the Niger Delta, particularly in Ijaw land. He said it was time the people of Kula changed their strategy in order to bring the benefits of investment to the area. The Minister, who also commissioned the NNPC/Belemaoil JV Fresh Potable Drinking Water Facility in Kula Town and performed the Ground Breaking for the construction of 85km President Muhammadu Buhari Kula-Degema Port-Harcourt Expressway, urged the people of Kula to unite and harness the benefits of the OML-25 agitation.

The Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr., on his part, said: “following the re-opening of the oil platform, SPDC and Belemaoil will jointly visit the facility to carry out technical assessment to determine the effect of abandonment of the facility for over two years, and to put in place terms of technical activities that will further engage the local communities, give them jobs, contracts and other support”.

Also speaking, the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom and Chairman Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, King (Dr) Kroma Eleki (JP), Sara XIV, expressed delight that the terms in the peace agreement between SPDC and the Host Communities of OML 25 was worth the struggle as the outcome is for the economic wellbeing and development of the area as an oil producing community. He commended the women of Kula for the sacrifice they made for the entire Kingdom.

Furthermore, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, Bayelsa State and first Military Governor of Rivers State, HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff, described the re-opening of OML 25 as a positive decision taken by the Federal Government for increase in oil production and revenue. He said by taking a bold step in resolving the protracted dispute in favour of the Host Communities of Kula, the Federal Government has shown that it has a listening ear to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of Chieftaincy Titles on the Minister of State for Petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva and the GMD of NNPC Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari by the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom HRH King (Dr) Kroma Eleki (JP), Sara XIV

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC says it would adopt the Community Engagement Strategy used in resolving the OML-25 dispute as a Model in settling oil dispute in the country.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari disclosed this on Saturday 28th September, 2019 at the formal re-opening of the facility in Kula, Rivers State. He said community engagement is the solution to resolving dispute between oil companies and the Host Communities.

The GMD regretted that the shutdown of the OML 25 Flow Station for over two years led to the loss of over $1.7 Billion oil revenue and lack of peace in the community.

 “He said there was absolute breakdown of law and order in the community as result of which we had a shutdown of the Belema Flow Station for over two years leading to the loss of 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day and the peace of the community, and in monetary terms is about $1.7 Billion which could have been put to use for both the community and the rest of the federation. What we have done is to engage the community and its leadership to make sure that the dispute between them and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is brought to a closure, as a result of which there would be more community engagement, and therefore they have agreed to vacate the facility to allow oil production to continue in this facility. Our immediate priority is peace for the community and not oil production, but we know that ultimately when peace comes oil production will come back and we can see a return of about 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day”.

The GMD of NNPC Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari also assured that under the new Joint Venture arrangement on the operation of OML-25 between the NNPC, SPDC and Belemaoil Producing Limited, the development of the Host Communities and the welfare of the people will be prioritized.

He said “I am happy that when we sat with Belemaoil and SPDC, we said to them look we have to end this standoff so that the community can have peace. We are not looking for money, we are not looking for oil, we are looking for peace for this community. Belemaoil would be involve, he has known the terms, we are going to publish the agreement that we have with him which simply says we are going to involve him in the operation, whatever is for the community it will come through him, that is the agreement we have. So whatever you don’t see hold Jack responsible. So, Jack promise me today that you will take these people, let them go back to their homes, if it doesn’t work hold me and Jack responsible”.

On how soon oil production is expected to resume in the area following the formal re-opening of the facility, the GMD said “the re-entry process would commence, they will validate the state of damages done to the facility over time. I am sure that within the shortest possible time SPDC would come up with a plan”.

For his part, the Minister of State for Petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva, sue for peace in the Niger Delta particularly in Ijaw land. He said it was time the people of Kula change their strategy in order to bring the benefits of investment to the area. The Minister urged the people of Kula to unite and harness the benefits of the OML-25 agitation.

The Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd. Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr said “following the re-opening of the oil platform, SPDC and Belemaoil will jointly visit the facility to carry out technical assessment to determine the effect of abandonment of the facility for over 2years,  and to put in place terms of technical activities that will further engage the local communities, give them jobs, contracts and other support”.

For his part, the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom and Chairman Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, King (Dr) Kroma Eleki (JP), Sara XIV expressed delight that the terms in the peace agreement between SPDC and the Host Communities of OML 25 worth their struggle for economy wellbeing and development of the area as an oil producing community. He commended the women of Kula for the sacrifice they made for the entire Kingdom.

The Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, Bayelsa State and first Military Governor of Rivers State, HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff described the re-opening of OML 25 as a positive decision taken by the federal government for increase oil production and revenue. He said by taking a bold step in resolving the protracted dispute in favour of the Host Communities of Kula, the federal government has shown that it has a listening ear to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva also commissioned the NNPC/Belemaoil JV Fresh Potable Drinking Water Facility in Kula Town and performed the Ground Breaking for the construction of 85km President Muhammadu Buhari Kula-Degema Port-Harcourt Expressway.

The highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of Chieftaincy Titles on the Minister of State for Petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva and the GMD of NNPC Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari by the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom HRH King (Dr) Kroma Eleki(JP), Sara XIV.

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