Indigenes of the oil – rich communities of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun in Warri South- West Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, Saturday August 26, suspended the 2nd phase of their protest, which was to totally shut – down Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, operations at Otumara Flow Station.
The protesting communities had accused SPDC of contravening relevant provisions of the PIA and vowed to escalate the protest if the company failed to immediately establish mechanism for the recognition of Otumara Host Community Development Trust by 25th of August 2023
In response to the escalating protest, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Komolafe Gbenga invited all parties and stakeholders Involved for a meeting at SPDC Otumara Flow Station.
During the meeting, the NUPRC representative, Engr. Olusegun Ogunjobi assured the three communities that NUPRC is fully behind them in regards to Host Community Trust and that the commission will be inviting all stakeholders to a meeting to resolve the issues.
He presented a signed press statement on behalf of the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mr. Komolafe Gbenga.
The press statement reads in part: “The attention of the NUPRC has been drawn to the ongoing complaints by the indigenes of Ugborodo, Deghele & Ugboegungun communities, Warri Southwest LGA, Delta State, regarding the name of HCDT and composition of the board of trustees of the HCDT.
The Commission in line with its statutory mandate on the implementation of the CDT provisions in the PIA, 2021 to ensure peace and conducive operating environment for upstream operations has directed that all CDT allegedly initiated on the above Communities be suspended pending a tripartite meeting to be held on an agreed date by authorized persons of the Communities, NUPRC and SPDC.
“The NUPRC is using this opportunity to request Ugborodo, Deghele & Ugboegungun communities and all concerned parties to remain calm and allow peace to reign while assuring all parties of our unwavering regulatory support and continued efforts towards ensuring effective implementation of the CDT provisions in the PIA, 2021,” the statement assured.
