By Jimitota Onoyume

Host communities to Oil Mining Lease, OML, 30 are opposed to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, operating the oil bloc.

President General of Afiesere community, Ughelli North, Mr Emmanuel Shikaleke, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard after some workers protested around the Ughelli Pumping Station, OPS, of the firm, called on government to re-award   the   bloc to Shoreline Resources limited, SNRL,   that had “related very well with the communities”.

Shikaleke said   it had been endless protest over one issue or the other with NPDC since it started operating the bloc, adding that the firm had shown that it was facing financial challenges so would not be able to handle the project.

Chairman of one of workers union, Mr Joseph Ayevwere, said some of the workers were being owed about three months salaries. While calling for upward review of their salaries, he said they were forced to embark on the recent protest at the UPS to draw the company’s attention to the need to clear the outstanding salaries.