The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC has issued a two two-week ultimatum to the oil-rich Ugborodo communities in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State and Chevron Nigeria Limited, to resolve their dispute on the establishment of Host Community Development Trust.
NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe handed down the ultimatum in a letter with Reference Number: NUPRC/WZO/HSEC.004/15/2023/39 after a meeting with Chevron Nigerian Limited, CNL, and Escravos Communities, including Ugborodo, Deghele, Ugboegungun, Dibi, Olero and a representative from the Olu of Warri Palace in Abuja.
The ultimatum dated 4th December 2023, was signed by Ogannubi.O.B. on behalf of NUPRC Chief Executive, Komolafe but was read by Alex Eyengho to Indigenes of Ugborodo Federated Communities at a Congress held in Ode-Ugborodo town hall.
NUPRC in the letter warned “the Host Communities and CNL return to status quo prior to hostilities, maintain peace, order and ensure the absence of crisis at Escravos terminal.
“CNL is to convene a meeting to be midwifed by the Commission, Warri Regional Office, to examine closely how the delineation of the Host Communities was conducted to ensure it was in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.”
NUPRC said, “The Composition of the HCDT Board of Trustees should be amicably thrown open by the host communities while all parties must mutually work out a formula to select the 9 members.
“The settler and the Host Communities should re-examine the name(s) and unanimously resolve on the name(s) for HCDT.
“That Chevron Nigeria Limited transmitted to the Commission a report on the implementation of the rulings in (i-iv) above within two(2) weeks. The report should be fully signed and certified by representatives of both parties(CNL)and the Host Communities.”
However, in an interview, a leader in the Ugborodo Community, Alex Eyengho confirmed the report of a two-week ultimatum to the Community and Chevron to resolve their dispute. He said the people of Ugborodo Community are not backing out of the matter as time is already ticking before the two-week ultimatum ends.
He indicated that Chevron Nigeria Limited has been directed to meet with the Ugborodo Community within two weeks and constitute the nine(9) member board of trustees and agree with the community on the name the host community should be called.
“We have said what we want is Ikpere Host Community Development Trust” pointing out that the regulator has agreed with the Community’s demands.
Eyengho said he hoped that Chevron Nigeria Limited would obey this directive as time was ticking.
Prince Perry Atete, another community leader, also corroborated the claims by Alex Eyengho who spoke on behalf of the Ugborodo community.
He thanked NUPRC for taking steps to resolve the dispute between Ugborodo Federated Communities and Chevron Nigeria Limited.
Recall that indigenes of Ugborodo Federated Communities, in a peaceful protest, recently mounted a shrine with a fearful idol at the entrance of Chevron Nigeria Limited over the non-implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The protesters who gave the name of the idol as “Ogbejugbele”, said it’s not a threat to Chevron and its staff but to let them know that their ancestors are angry with Chevron.
Amongst their demands is that Chevron should, as a matter of urgency implement the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, implement the Ikpere Host Community PIA as agreed by the National Upstream Regulatory Commission, NURPC and give employment to youths and people of Ugborodo and Itsekiri indigenes
