A socio-cultural group in the Niger Delta region, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, has given the operator of Neconde and Nestoil oil firms in the OML42 and Forcados terminal in Delta State, Mr. Ernest Obiejesi, a 7-day ultimatum to name alleged oil thieves operating in the region or in the alternative pack out from the oil fields.
The group said in a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, that the ultimatum became imperative following a publication from Neconde purportedly referring to Niger Delta people as oil thieves.
Austin said, “The allegation by the oil firms is unfounded, mischievous, libellous, nefarious, lackadaisical, provocative and inciting.
“Neconde should pack out of OML42 and Forcados terminal for making such unsubstantiated and wild allegations against their host communities and the Niger Delta region.”
Insisting that it is part of their “demands that the Federal Government and security agencies should properly investigate the oil operation activities of the aforementioned companies,” IPDI averred, “Again, it is an aberration for an investor to blackmail and insult its host communities. This can’t be accepted.”
The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to unfounded, mischievous, libelous, nefarious, lackadaisical, provocative and vexatious attack on Niger Delta illustrious son, Ezekiel Kagbala, a rights activist, publisher and investigative journalist by Neconde oil firm.
“We are issuing a seven-day ultimatum to Neconde operating in OML42 and Forcados terminal to name the oil thieves using Mr. Kagbala to fight both companies.
“We consider the Neconde attack on Kagbala and the Niger Delta region as a ploy to upset and incite bad blood in the Niger Delta region and to give the dog a bad name to hang it.
“The unsubstantiated and careless utterances of Neconde publication dated 25th October 2023, citing oil thieves in OML 42 to have been behind the alleged report spotting the companies’ failures is a call for concern.
“It is a trite law that he who asserts, the onus of proof lies in him or her. Hence, we challenge Neconde to name the oil thieves sponsoring the fight against them in Niger Delta.
“We are dismayed that the MD of Neconde, Ernest Obiejesi, despite knowing the whereabouts of the oil thieves refused to report to security authorities over the years as pointed out in the companies’ publications. This is a conspiracy against the Federal and Delta State governments. It is also classified as aiding and abetting.
“We are aware of several oil theft allegations against the operators of Neconde and Nestoil companies over the years. It is a practice of a thief to sometimes frame-up others to remain in business. We are not surprised by the hasty libelous statement made by the aforementioned companies against the Niger Delta people.
“Therefore, we demand that Neconde MD, Ernest Obiejesi, with his multiple companies prospecting our oil resources should pack out from OML42 and Forcados terminal without further delay.
“We wish to state that Neconde’s campaign against OML42 communities, Niger Delta and Kagbala will not be overlooked, and as an investor, Obiejesi should know the implications of his actions.”
Efforts to reach officials of Neconde or Nestoil for comments on the issues were not successful as at the time of filing this report.
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