By Ochuko Akuopha

The people of Irri community, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, have given a 10-day ultimatum to Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NOAC, to enter into a new Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with them or risk the shutting down of its operations in the area.

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The people, in a letter entitled ‘Notification of suspension of NOAC Oil Operation in Irri community,’ noted that the “Irri/AGIP MoU of 2012 – 2017 has expired and we are expected to write another to spell out our terms of references and operation, yet nothing is being done in this regard.”

The letter addressed to the company’s Stakeholders Management and Community Division Manager by the Odio-Ologbo of Irri kingdom, HRM Aghagba Amathovo 1, Chairman of Irri Community Development Committee, Chief Godday Igorigo, Chairman, Irri Flow Station Landlords, Mr. Godspower Odueme, said the traditional ruler was not being recognised by the management of the company.

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The letter read: “We as host community don’t have statistics of workers in Irri flow station. On this note, we demand a list of staff and their places of origin. Our people have applied to be registered as indigenous contractors but have been denied.

“The AGIP scholarship of post-primary school allowances of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 have not been paid. We as executives of this community are being accused of diverting slots/chances.”

The letter urged the company to address the issues “Or we will be forced to protest and block your operations.”