OML 25:Shell, Stakeholder Communities, To Sign M.O.U On The Re-opening Of Flow Station

OML 25: SHELL, STAKEHOLDER COMMUNITIES TO SIGN M.O.U ON THE RE-OPENING OF THE FLOW STATION.

Stakeholder communities of Oil Mining License (OML) 25 in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) have agreed on the procedures for the re-opening of the oil facility.

As such, the Stakeholders communities and Shell will on Monday, July 1, 2019 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) to be facilitated by the Rivers State Government on their respective responsibilities in the final resolution of the conflict.

This was the outcome of the meeting on Thursday between Stakeholder Communities of OML 25, SPDC, Service Commanders and officials of the Rivers State Government on the directive of Governor Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike.

Representative of the Rivers State Governor and Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo directed the Solicitor-General of the State to draft a memorandum of understanding on the premise of the resolutions reached at the meeting. He said that the memorandum of understanding would be signed on Monday, July 1, 2019.

Dr. Danagogo outlined the four key resolutions reached during the crucial meeting on the re-opening of OML 25.

He said: “SPDC should pay the agreed funds into an account. The Permanent Secretary, Community Affairs has been mandated to ensure that the funds are transferred to the communities.

“SPDC should be able to pay the available sum latest by Monday. Shell would pay N260million and N75million by Monday.

“The communities should within 7 days of signing the resolution, vacate the facility. Also within two weeks, Shell should pay the remaining part of N1.014billion (One Billion, fourteen million naira)”.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government added that the meeting resolved that SPDC would therefore obtain approval from NAPIMS to pay the money that accrued between 2009 and 2013.

He added that within two weeks of signing the resolution, Rivers State Government will set up a platform for Shell and Stakeholder Communities to renegotiate the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU).

General Manager, External Relations of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr Igo Weli said the first set of funds to the stakeholder communities will be paid on Monday.

He stressed that the outcome of the financial reconciliations will be paid within two weeks of signing the resolution.

Igo Weli added SPDC in line with the resolution of the meeting, seek the approval of NAPIMs for payment of funds for 2009 and 2013.

Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Rowland Sekibo said that the meeting initiated by the Rivers State Governor has recorded a milestone with agreement on the funds to be paid by SPDC.

Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 1, Hon. Major Jack commended the Rivers State Government, SPDC and Stakeholder Communities for building synergy which will end in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday.

Amanyanabo of Opu-Kula, King Hope Hope Daminabo Dan Opusingi said that the people of the area are happy with the agreement reached at the meeting, especially the reconciliation of the funds to be paid by SPDC.

He said those occupying the flow station are being paid to do so. He said technically, the flow station has been opened as the occupants of the facility are doing so illegally.

Also speaking, the Amanyanabo of Kula, King Kroma Eleki called for the development of Kula upon the reopening of OML 25. He said the developmental challenges of the community should be resolved.

It will recalled that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on June 22, 2019 directed the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo to convene a meeting of all key stakeholders in the presence of Security Service Commanders, for the host communities to outline their grievances to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and for the company to address such development concerns.

27th June, 2019.