By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
LEADERS and stakeholders of OML 150 Host Communities in Warri, Delta State, have issued a seven-day ultimatum to Conoil Producing Ltd, operator of OML 150 Bloc, to resolve all issues relating to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) or be ready for a shutdown of operations.
The leaders and stakeholders of OML 150 Host Communities issued the seven-day ultimatum to the oil firm during a press conference in Warri.
They also requested, as one of their prayers, the swift implementation of the agreement the company entered with the communities in the presence of the Olu of Warri and the Delta State government.
They said they were surprised that a company like Conoil would prefer to operate in an atmosphere of chaos and anarchy rather than a peaceful and conducive environment which credible companies all over the world seek after and
which they have been providing for Conoil as host communities to OML 150.
Addressing journalists at the press conference, a leader of one of the communities, Roland Yomere, said expressed shock that Conoil was yet to set in motion the process of implementing the PIA by setting up the Board of Trustees of the Host Communities Development Trust with the nominees forwarded to them directly and through the Palace of the Olu of Warri since 2022.
The communities commended the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, for his developmental strides and collaborative efforts with various legally constituted community leaderships in his domain for the collective growth and development of the kingdom.
They, however, urged the Olu to be wary of a handful of chiefs allegedly working contrary to his vision for their selfish interests.
They fingered a particular chief who, they claimed, has direct connection and influence on Conoil and has allegedly been in the vanguard of frustrating every effort geared towards building a smooth relationship between the OML 150 Host Communities and Conoil.
Some of the leaders addressing the press
Also, Secretary of the forum, Emmanuel Aginejuone, while addressing journalists, said it was evil for a chief to be working contrary to the vision of the Olu of Warri who wants companies in the kingdom to have a smooth and cordial working relationship with their host communities for all-inclusive growth and development.
He noted that the communities will vehemently fight against moves by these same individuals to secretly subvert the will of the people by trying to alter the list already submitted for their personal and selfish gains.
Stonix News reports that the clear-cut message by the leaders of OML 150 Host Communities at the end of the press conference is that Conoil Producing Ltd, operator of OML 150 Bloc, should wake up to its responsibilities by, within seven days, making efforts to implement the PIA by setting up the Board of Trustees of the Host Communities Development Trust and implement the agreement entered with the communities before the Olu of Warri and the state government, or have their operations completely shut down.
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