Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode on Saturday called on the protesting host communities to Otumara flow station in Warri South West Local Government Area, not to shut down the operations of Shell Petroleum Development Commission but rather engage in a friendly dialogue with the multi-national oil firm over the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The Commissioner made the call in Warri while briefing journalists on the outcome of his visit to Otumara flowstation and the host communities.
According to the Commissioner, “the 20,000 barrels per day SPDC facility in Otumara is of great economic importance to the Federal and Delta State Government”.
He said the State Government will continue to intervene when necessary just as he implored the host communities and SPDC to explore the benefits of dialogue in resolving the disagreement.
He also noted that the State Government led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was determined to provide an enabling environment for international oil companies and investors in the state.
The commissioner said, “The management team, Ministry of Oil and Gas visited the protestants at the Otumara community where the flowstation is sited.
“We held discussions with leaders who expressed their concerns. We also advised that the internal wranglings within critical stakeholders over the name for the HCDT should not lead to shutting down of Otumara flowstation and SPDC’s operations”.
The commissioner remarked that the disagreement between the host communities to Otumara flowstation and SPDC which has to do with setting up a Host Community Development Trust is a matter that can be resolved amicably adding that “the Delta State Government is on top of the issue”.
“We appeal to the host communities of Ugborodo, Ugboegungun, and Deghele not to shut down the operations at the Otumara flowstation, while the negotiations continue for a win-win resolution”, he reiterated.
Speaking further, the commissioner stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was committed to fulfilling the pledge to restore the lost glory of Warri, the industrial hub to sustain an enabling environment that will attract investors, boost the economy of the state, and create jobs for the youths.
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