OML 150: Security Reinforced as Host Communities Sustain Siege in Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A reinforcement of security personnel has been deployed around Obodo oil field in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday as hundreds of indigenes of seven host communities to Conoil Producing Limited sustained siege on the facilities enters the fifth day insisting the oil firm should vacate their land.

The protesting indigenes had again stormed the facilities since last Saturday and vowed not to leave the area until Conoil implement the directive of the Palace of Olu of Warri and Delta State Government to open negotiation with the host communities leaders.

THISDAY observed that the seven host communities had penultimate week embarked on five days protest against the oil firm until the intervention of the Palace of Olu of Warri and Delta State Government before vacating the field.

It was learnt that the Palace of Olu of Warri summoned a meeting attended last Thursday by the host communities and the oil firm where it was resolved that Conoil should heed the demands of their landlords.

Chairman of OML 150 communities consultative forum, Comrade Monday Agbeyi, told newsmen at the site of the oil field that Conoil was taking the peaceful nature of his people for granted.

He said the host communities would no longer tolerate act of impunity on the part of the oil firm that failed to honour the Palace of Olu of Warri, Delta State Government and the Indigenes of the communities.

“I want to state categorically that although the seven host communities of OML 150 were reputed for being peace loving, it should not be misconstrued for cowardice by Conoil Producing Limited as we are ready to use all within our means to ensure justice in our land,” he said.

He commended the Palace of the Olu of Warri, for stepping in at the appropriate time to clear the cloud of doubt, to affirm that the Monday Agbeyi led executive is the only constituted body for now, representing the seven host communities of OML 150 that Conoil should interface with.

According to him, “despite this, it is saddening that the management of Conoil Producing Limited still want to undermine the authority of the Palace of the Olu of Warri and the seven host communities of OML 150 by refusing to open discussion with the legally constituted executive of the Forum led by Comrade Monday Agbeyi.

“It beats our imagination that after the peace meeting organised by the Palace of the Olu of Warri on Thursday, 17th June 2021, which was duly attended by Conoil Producing Limited, and the Comrade Monday Agbeyi led executive was duly presented as the right executive to oversee the affairs of the forum, the company still maintains its old fashioned stand.

“The impunity has grown to the extent that the management of the company no longer has any iota of regard for the landlord communities, the Olu of Warri and the Delta State Government inspite of the various letters written by the trio to ensure dialogue for a peaceful coexistence, the company seems to be adamant and resort to divide-and-rule strategy,” he added.