HOSTCOM, DSPM Seek NASS Intervention On NNPC

Rising from the security situations which has been brewing between the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, WRPC and it’s host communities due to outright disregard and marginalization of members of the latter by the management of the NNPC/WRPC that has lingered on for over a year now, the Delta State Peace Movement DSPM has called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the leadership of the National Assembly to mandate NNPC to obey the order given them by the green chamber.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the chairman, Chief Moses Akpojovwe on behalf of the group.
In the statement, Chief Moses Akpojovwe noted that three months given to the NNPC to reinstate the sacked workers as well as appear before the House by the Committee on Public Petitions has since elapsed.
He said the House Committee of the Public Petitions which is presently handling issues raised by the host communities and the support staff regarding the regularization of their job status has benefitted the NNPC for the past fifteen years as casual workers.
He stated that there is already a growing tension in Warri and it’s environs which could result to breakdown of law and order if the NNPC management keeps treating the host communities and its kinsmen without regards.
“It is on record that the NNPC management before now has told the community leadership that they are above the law and nobody can give them order that they should honour.
“DSPM is using this medium to bring to the notice of the green chamber and it’s leadership that NNPC/WRPC actions as created much tension within and around Warri which if not properly handled can lead to a breakdown of law and order considering the hardship their actions can cause on the citizens of the state,” he said.
Chief Akpojovwe emphasized that NNPC may lead to complete breakdown of law and order in the coming weeks in Warri and environs if not cautioned.
On his part, the chairman of HOSTCOM, Engr. Tuoyo Woligho, noted that the NNPC is playing hanky-panky with such a sensitive issue which is capable of plunging the entire nation into serious economic and security crisis.
“It’s like playing with raw fire. Even moreso at a time the whole nation is still grappling with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
Engr. Woligho stressed that communities under his leadership are hosts to critical assets and facilities in Warri such as the Nigerian Gas Company, PPMC, NPDC, DPR, Warri Refinery,WRPC and the NNPC housing units which have all enjoyed a peaceful and cordial atmosphere for smooth operations over the years.
He wondered why the NNPC would have chosen to turn around to marginalize their friendly hosts and even treat their royal fathers and traditional institutions with such discontent and disregard.
Hostcom further notes, that, with this high level of danger created by the actions of the NNPC, should the National Assembly fail to successfully intervene as soon as possible, there is bound be major breakdown of law and order within Warri and its environs.
“This communities have been hosting NNPC for over four (4) decades, but none of their sons or kinsmen have been able to attain any significant managerial positions as the only openings accessible to them have been casual employments for these long periods of time. And yet, the NNPC management proceeded to sack the few once who they employed as causal staff for years because the community demanded that this person should be regularize to NNPC staff status.
“Since the NNPC has ignored all advice and entreaties for cordial working relationship with their hosts, they must be ready to face the challenges they created with their own hands.”