OML40 host community threatens to shutdown NPDC/Elcrest operations

Port Harcourt -Tsekelewu community, host to Opuama flow station operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture in Egbeama, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, has vowed to shutdown the company's operations next week, if the company fails to heed their demand.

The community is asking the company to stop its dredging activities in the area, saying the community was facing an imminent physical blockade as a result of artificial siltation and drying up of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community waterways by the dredging activities.

President-General of Tsekelewu community, Engr. Bright Abulu, lamented that the dredging activities if not stop immediately, will cut off the community from the rest of the world.

Abulu explained that the company has continually ignored the community, despite series of letters sent to the company for a meeting to address the hazardous effects of its dredging operations on the community's access waterways.

He said despite three of its letters being acknowledged by the Managing Director of NPDC, there has been no response from the company regarding holding meeting to address the issue.

He warned that the community will have no other option but to shutdown the company's operations in the area.

Abulu said: “Regrettably, NPDC/Elcrest have refused to honor Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community invitations to a meeting intended to proffer solutions to the negative impact of the dredging of the main waterways on mobility and economic activities of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community.

"Yet the dredging project is going on unabated to the extent that an oil well drilling rig has been moved into our territory to carry out extensive drilling operations.

“Consequent upon the inexplicable silence of the company, it has become imperative to alert the Management of NPDC, Delta State Government, Federal Government and the