By John Dugbe – Ughelli
Activities have resumed at various Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) oil installations following resolution of the long drawn dispute between the NPDC and Urhobo/Isoko communities which had led to a shout down of operations.
Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa had stepped into the matter following the refusal of the oil host communities to allow the NPDC operate.
Okowa who was represented by his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, said the State Government was happy with resolution of the dispute and the resumption of operations by the oil company.
The Deputy Governor, who thanked both parties for sheathing their swords, said that the state government stepped into the dispute because it was determined to operate a people-oriented and people-participating government.
He said that “It is pursuant to this that as a government, we thought it wise to call you for this meeting. We believe, just as the present administration is strongly concerned about the interest of all Deltans, so is the production of oil and gas that form the basis upon which Delta State Government can deliver on her manifesto to Deltans. So there must be a meeting point between the interest of the communities as well as that of operators of these facilities”, Otuaro said, adding that he was “glad to hear from NPDC that the facilities are re-opened and workers are back to work.”
Otuaro thanked the communities and NPDC for putting behind their differences in a MOU signed by the parties”.
Executive Director, Operations of NPDC, Engr. Kris Ugwu, who represented the company said NPDC would henceforth live up to its obligations and promised that in the next few weeks, it would pay up outstanding operational fees for 2014 and look forward to commence same for the first quarter of 2015.
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