The Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has accused the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited(WRPC) of deliberate policy of marginalizing host communities and ignoring federal government policies
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu signed by Chief Ikpesan M.O., Chairman and Chief Eyimofe Akemu, Secretary of the Ekpan Community Relation Committe(CRC), they accused NNPCL/WRPC management of engaging their family members, cronies and close associates contrary to the Nigerian content development laws in respect to procurement of goods and services as well as employment.
“We are members of EKPAN COMMUNITY RELATION COMMITTEE (CRC) in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. Our role is to liaise between EKPAN COMMUNITY and WARRI REFINING AND PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY (WRPC), by ensuring sustainable peace and harmony as well as render ancillary services to NGMC, NGIC, NPDC, SEPLAT, NMDPRA, KHNL, NPSC, and ND WESTERN.
“We have been suffocated by the Management of NNPCL and WRPC over their deliberate Policy of Marginalizing the HOST COMMUNITY, ignoring the policies put forth by the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the benefits of the HOST COMMUNITY.
“We observed that in the ongoing QUICK FIX PROJECT at WRPC, both management of NNPCL and WRPC did not comply with the NIGERIAN CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND MONITORING BOARD (NCDMB) – COMMUNITY CONTENT GUIDELINE as it affect Procurement of Goods and Services as well as Employment.
“Both the Management of NNPCL and WRPC flagrantly violates them, rather they engaged their family members, cronies and close associates against the spirit and objectives of the PIA, NOOGICD Act and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Community Content Guideline which have been brilliantly laid down for the inclusion and the promotion of peaceful co-existence between Oil and Gas Companies and Host Communities.
“There are over sixty (60) service running contracts in WRPC that are ran by Warri Refinery Staff and their cronies, e.g. manpower supply, security, etc. where capacity exist in the Host Community Entrepreneurs.
“We hereby call on His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to: 1. Direct both Management of NNPCL and WRPC to comply with the laws of the land (PIA, NOOGICD, and NCDMB) in its entirety, as it affects the HOST COMMUNITIES. 2. Direct both Management of NPCL and WRPC to call-back the SUPPORT STAFF of the host communities laid off earlier now that WRPC has “Manpower Challenge” in manning and bringing up of the plant which is expected to come on-stream soonest. 3. Direct both Management of NNPCL and WRPC to revert to the actual Host Communities percentage because presently the host communities Support Staff is less than 10% of the total Support Staff as against the provision of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board – Community Guideline which provide for at least 20%.
