…urges Govt to call Elcrest E&P to order

By Paul Olayemi

The Ogbinbiri Federated Community in Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, and Ikpoba-Okha Local Governments of Delta and Edo State have urged the government of both States to call the management of Elcrest E & P Ltd operating Abiala Field OML 40 to order, over their continued exclusion and marginalization of their parent community in their oil exploration activities.

They urged the government of Edo and Delta State and the Federal Government to call the management of Elcrest E & P Ltd to order in order not to ignite another avoidable crisis in the Niger Delta Region.

The Ogbinbiri Community leaders addressed journalists during a peaceful protest to draw government attention to what they termed “ungodly act”.

According to Hon. Benedict Miyebi, National Chairman and President-General, the community being a peaceful one had to resort to peaceful protest when all efforts to dialogue through different letters to the Managing Director, Elcrest E & P Ltd, have failed to yield the desired results.

Recall that on 21st March 2024 in a letter addressed to the Managing Director, Elcrest E & P Ltd, with references number, OFC/EEPL/MD/LOS/004 signed by Hon. Benedict Miyebi, National Chairman and President-General and Opusenibo Wilfred Kari, for the Secretary-General, they alleged the company has failed to enter talks with them, hence they can’t guarantee a peaceful environment for their operations at Abiala Field.

The letter reads in part; “That Ogbinbiri Exploration Location 1 (Ogbinbiri well 1) in Abiala Field OML. 40 is in Ogbinbiri land as such should recognized as a Host Community.

“That Ogbinbiri is one of the nine (9) Traditional Towns in Egbema Kingdom while Ablała and other Communities are its villages or Communities. That Ogbinbiri is the Town (Parent Community) to Ablala and other Communities

“Therefore, if a village produces oil, the Town (the parent Community), the Kingdom, the Local Government Area, the State and the Country become oil-producing entity.

“So, if a village produces oil and becomes a Host Community, the Town (the parent Community), the Kingdom, Local Government Area, the State and the Country become Host to the company; hence the oil it produces becomes part of the total production of Local Government, State and the Country at large.

“We, therefore, state here that Ogbinbiri Community is a Host Community to Elcrest E & P Ltd and should be recognized as such.

“That your operation of the Ogbinbiri Exploration Location 1 (Ogbinbiri well 1) in Abiala Field OML 40 vis-a-vis the ongoing Dredging of the Access Routes to the Ogbinbiri Location 1 (Ogbinbiri well 1) in Ablala Field OML. 40, as well as the acquisition of Dump Site(s) in Ogbinbiri land without due consultation and agreement with Ogbinbiri Community is likely to cause crisis.

“That all frantic efforts made by Ahalji Emmanuel Omoko to resolve this issue of the recognition of Ogbinbirn Community as a Host Community to your company Elcrest E & P Ltd prove abortive. From us we say, kudos to him.

“In view of the above, we wish to State here that we may not be able to guarantee a peaceful environment for your operation at Abiala Filed OML 40.

Recall that on March 19, 2024, in another letter to the Managing Director, Elcrest E & P Ltd, which was copied to The AIG, Nigeria Police Force, Zone 5, Benin City, Edo State; the Brigade Commander, Nigeria Army, 4 Brigade, Benin City, Edo State; the State Director, Directorate of State Service, Benin City, Edo State; the Commanding Officer, Nigeria Army, 90 Amphibious Battalion, Koko, Delta State was also ignored by the company.

All efforts to reach the management of Elcrest E & P Ltd proved abortive, as calls to their official number were not picked at the time of going to press.