The Ureju Community Council of Elders in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State has accused NNPC Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (NEPL) and Elcrest Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited of allegedly undermining provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in the governance structure of the OML 40 Gbetiokun Field Agura Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT).
In a statement issued over the weekend and signed by the Olare-Aja (oldest man) of the council, Pa. Thompson Adini Jarikpe, alongside Pa. D. E. T. Ekpoto and Pa. Omereyemi Rone Orugboh, the elders said the companies had bypassed the recognised community leadership in matters relating to the Board of Trustees (BoT) composition.
They insisted that under the PIA framework, only the elders’ council of a host community is empowered to recommend representatives for such boards, not any factional group currently engaged in legal disputes over the trust’s leadership structure.
According to them, the community had duly nominated Mr. Godwin Igho Erewa for consideration as a BoT member, but claimed that the companies had failed to respond to the recommendation.
They further alleged that instead of engaging the elders’ council, the operators presented what they described as a “phantom five-year budget” containing projects they argued were not driven by community priorities and could result in duplication and waste.
Whilst stating that the Council of Elders does not recognise the parties currently being engaged by the companies, the signatories said: ”The budget illegally proposed for Ureju by NEPL (NNPC Exploration and Production Limited and Elcrest E&P Nigeria Limited) falls short of the proportionate production from our community.”
They added that the alleged approach by the companies demonstrated non-compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
“This clearly demonstrates the fact that the company is flouting relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act,” the statement read.
The elders further rejected the proposed development plan, insisting it does not reflect the needs or expectations of the community.
They warned that implementation would not be allowed unless the recognised elders’ council is properly engaged.
“The budget is against the desire and wish of the community. There are evidences that the jobs are being awarded.
Until the company relates with the Council of Elders of Ureju, we will not allow NEPL (NNPC Exploration and Production Limited and Elcrest E&P Nigeria Limited) execute any of the projects,” they stated.
They also called on the Chief Executive Officer of the companies to urgently intervene and correct what they described as anomalies in the implementation process, warning that the companies would be held accountable should tensions escalate in the community.
“If they fail to do what is required of them, and should anything go wrong in the community, both companies should be held responsible,” they warned.
Among the projects the elders described as inappropriate or duplicative were the proposed drilling of a solar-powered water borehole with a 5,000-litre treatment facility, installation of 50 units of 200W solar streetlights, and procurement of two W23 passport 19 boats fitted with double 85hp Yamaha engines.
They argued that such projects, as currently designed, amount to duplication and waste of resources.
