Delta Community Protests Against NPDC Over Plans To Relocate Flowstation

.Gives NPDC, NEPL Three Weeks To Relocate Its Pipeline If…

By Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

The Ogbe-Udu communiity of Udu local government area of Delta state, yesterday, in their hundreds protested against the management of NPDC, NEPL over their purported plan to relocate their flowstation from their community.

The protest which was held at the early hours of yesterday had demanded NPDC, NEPL to remove their pipeline from Ogbe-Udu communiity if they are relocating the flowstation to their neighbouring town of Emadagja.

The protesters which displayed placards with inscription such as, “Ogbe-Udu say No Flow Station” “No Pipeline, “After 42yrs of Wastage, Ogbe-Udu demands justice” “Ogbe-Udu say No Relocation of Flowstation”, and others were their complaints.

The President General of Ogbe-Udu, Mr. Joseph Eni who spoke to newsmen said they have everything within their powers for over Thirty-two years to preserve and protected the land from intruders and land peddlers, and also denying the original owners of the land from farming in the land.

Eni said, “Over Thirty-two years ago the Operator of the field acquired a large percel of land in Ogbe-Udu community to build a flowstation, and after carrying out their technical and commercial analysis, they informed all stakeholders that the acquired land is the most suitable site for the construction of the flowstation in the Aburu Field.

“But it was embarrassment to us when on 26th of April, 2024, we were invited to a meeting at Wetland Hotel in Udu, where the NEPL delegation told Ogbe-Udu delegation that the purpose of the meeting was to tell them their management decision that the proposed Aburu Field (OML65) flowstation has been relocated.

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“The information was received with a resounding objection and spontaneous protest and this was what has led to an issuance of ultimatum to NEPL to relocate their pipeline from Ogbe-Udu not later than May 25th, 2024 and we have just reaffirmed the ultimatum and position.

“We see this NEPL decision with the manner they engaged Ogbe-Udu communiity on this issue as insensitive, and perhaps a deliberate attempt to cause war between us and Emadagja communiity, people we have lived with peacefully for centuries, hence we are calling on Delta state government and the NNPCL group to intervene.”