BY Chris Ochayi

ABUJA—The Niger Delta Oil Producing Communities have expressed support for the National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, over its transfer of oil blocs to Atlantic Energy Concept Limited.

Representatives of the host communities, in an interactive session with newsmen, Tuesday, in Abuja, noted that those calling for the revocation of the affected oil blocs were working against the interests of host communities.

Chief Anamali Oji, who spoke on behalf of the group, explained that the agitators were trying to blackmail top management of the NNPC and the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “They are creating unnecessary tension and in a way, causing fresh uprising in our region and they should be charged with treason. How many traditional leaders did they consult?

“The NPDC, a subsidiary of NNPC did the right thing by transferring the operatorship  of the oil blocs to Atlantic Energy Concept Limited. If not for anything, the deal supports the local content policy which we, the oil producing communities, have agitated for over the years.

“The local content which is a key provision in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is one major reason why the oil producing communities have consistently urged the National Assembly to pass that piece of legislation which we believe will mark an unprecedented participation of Nigerians in the petroleum sector.

“We are of the opinion that as long as an Ijaw man can live in Lagos, an Uhrobo or Itsheiheri can own a house or business in Lagos or Jos, we wonder why a Yoruba man or whosoever, as the case may be, wouldn’t be able to do business in our area, in as much as the interests of the host communities are protected.”