By KUNLE KALEJAYE

Over 30 host communities in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State have threatened to suspend the operations of Nigeria Petroleum Company (NPDC), if issues raised by the communities are not addressed immediately by the company’s management.

In an address presented by the Chairman Association of Federated OML 34 Host Communities, Mr. Ben Ebite, demanded NPDC to suspend operations until Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC is pressurised to release funds for the remediation of environmental degradation in the area.

The funds is said to have been abandoned for than 50 years when SPDC commenced its operations.

Other issues raised by the host communities include transparency of oil companies operation in the region and more active participation of communities and her indigenes in major contract and ownership of oil assets in OML34.

Responding to the demands of host communities, leader of NPDC delegation to the meeting Mr. B. M Sobotie, confirmed that NPDC actually took over operations in OML 34 on January 1, 2013,

He pleaded for time, stating that NPDC’s scope of operations has increased considerably; adding that time and patience is required so that issues raised can be adequately addressed to the satisfaction of all parties.

Sobotie noted that FTO was a prime requirement for operations in the Oil and Gas industry, and promised to address the issue urgently, but with no specific time-frame. He reiterated that OML 34 is of strategic importance to Nigeria economy due to the large gas reserves in the area from where the Utorogun Gas Plant supplies the bulk of gas national consumption.