Delta: Oil Producing Communities Blame Continued Pollution On Obsolete Pipelines

By Ayodele Oni

Some oil  producing Communities in Warri South-West local government area of Delta State, have protested the continued neglect by oil companies despite continued pollution of their rivers due to oil exploration.

The communities, numbering 42, also condemned the failure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and the Neconde Energy Limited to transparently implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

They warned that their failure within 21-days ultimatum to begin the implementation process may lead to shutdown of their operations in the area.

The Forum frowned at the failure of NEPL /NECONDE to halt incessant oil spills in the area as well as the companies award of communities-based contracts to their top management staff in direct contravention of the Nigerian Local Content Act.

These were contained an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, and signed by the representatives of the communities.

They lauded President Buhari for the move to end oil pipelines vandalism, bunkering and pollution in the area through the award of surveillance contract to  Government Ekpemupolo known popularly as Tompolo, but  lamented the incessant pollution caused by expired pipelines that needed replacements instead of sectional repairs by the companies.

The letter reads: “First, we want to sincerely thank and appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for saving the lives of our people through the awarded pipeline surveillance contracts to Tantita Security, a private and indigenous security outfit, owned by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo.

“It is pertinent to state that Tantita Security Services has contributed immensely to the preservation of our environment and the ecosystem, as illegal bunkering activities, pipelines vandalism and pollution of our water bodies has been drastically reduced.

“Mr President, we are constrained to bring to your notice reported plans by NEPL/NECONDE to embark on repair work on sections of the Trans Forcados Pipelines (TFP) which runs from OML 42 to Forcados Terminal in Burutu LGA of Delta State, without recourse to its negative implications to communities and the environment.

“TFP Pipeline was constructed since early 1960s, and have outlived its useful lifespan long ago leading to continuous pollution of our environment and destruction of our ecosystem, thereby creating hardship for the locals.

“We are strongly appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to save our lives and direct the GCEO NNPC Limited to compel NEPL and NECONDE to commence full replacement of the said pipeline, rather than sectional repair works that will not stop further leakages.

“This line TFP is one of the major lines destroying our environment because it has expired and cannot withstand the pressure of crude oil on the line.

“Therefore, we vehemently reject the section repair works as concurrently contemplated by the NEPL/NECONDE which will continue to leak and continue to destroy our environment that is gradually recovering, thanks to operations of Tantita Security Services.

“Mr President, it will interest you to note that all communities-based contracts are being awarded to top management staff of NEPL and Neconde Energy Limited, using their cronies as community vendors thereby depriving indigenous contractors of patronage.

“Sir, in line with the Nigerian Local Content Act, all community-based marine and other services contracts should be awarded to indigenous community-based contractors to develop their capacity and expertise to enable them contribute meaningfully to operations of the oil industry particularly OML 42 in Delta State.”