…Gives NPDC, NEPL 3 weeks to relocate its pipeline

Yesterday, the Ogbe-Udu community of Udu local government area of Delta State, in their hundreds, protested against the management of NPDC and NEPL over their purported plan to relocate their flow station from their community.

The protest, which was held in the early hours of yesterday, demanded NPDC and NEPL remove their pipeline from the Ogbe-Udu community if they relocate the flow station to their neighbouring town of Emadagja.

The protesters, displayed placards with inscriptions such as, “Ogbe-Udu say No Flow Station, No Pipeline”, “After 42yrs of Wastage, Ogbe-Udu demands justice”, “Ogbe-Udu says No Relocation of Flowstation”, and others were their complaints.

The President General of Ogbe-Udu, Mr. Joseph Eni who spoke to newsmen said they have everything within their powers for over 32 years to preserve and protect the land from intruders and land peddlers, and also denying the original owners of the land from farming in the land.

Eni said: “Over 32 years ago the operator of the field acquired a large parcel of land in the Ogbe-Udu community to build a flow station, and after carrying out their technical and commercial analysis, they informed all stakeholders that the acquired land is the most suitable site for the construction of the flow station in the Aburu Field.

“But it was embarrassment to us when on April 26, 2024, we were invited to a meeting at Wetland Hotel in Udu, where the NEPL delegation told Ogbe-Udu delegation that the purpose of the meeting was to tell them their management decision that the proposed Aburu Field (OML65) flowstation has been relocated.

“The information was received with a resounding objection and spontaneous protest and this was what led to an issuance of ultimatum to NEPL to relocate their pipeline from Ogbe-Udu not later than May 25, 2024, and we have just reaffirmed the ultimatum and position.”