By Ebi Perekeme
The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has called for the termination of the pipeline surveillance contract of Warri-Escravos, Trans-Focados and Egbema awarded to Ocean Marine Solution Limited.
IPDI, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mayor Timi Ogobiri, on Friday, maintained that the company had been meting out poor treatments to the youths of the affected host communities.
The group alleged that Ocean Marine Solution Limited had been trading the indigenous pipeline surveillance slots of host communities in the areas with people of other ethnic groups and political associates of the chairman, Captain Hosar Okunbor.
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IPDI stressed that the company’s attitude could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the region, adding, “Our youths have been sidelined in jobs in their country homes.”
The group maintained that there wsas no way non-indigenes could perfectly carry out pipeline surveillance guard better than the indigenes, adding that it was a misplaced priority to have awarded pipeline surveillance contract to non-indigenes.
The Ijaw group maintained that awarding such crucial contact to non-indigenes was a clear conspiracy against the people, hence its call for the withdrawal of the contract from Ocean Marine Solution Limited, so it could be given to another competent indigenous company that would address the needs and plights of the youths in the host communities.
IPDI stated: “We want to state again that the action of Ocean Marine Solution Limited is capable of brewing tension in riverine communities in Delta, beginning from Warri, Escravos, Warri North, Burutu, Forcados, Gbaramatu and Ogulagha communities, as the job meant to be handled by youths of host communities are now been handled by non-indigenes.
“We are disappointed in the way the company had been handling the surveillance contract in the above mentioned areas. The pipeline surveillance contract is meant for oil host communities and not for strangers.
“It was meant to create some sense of belongings to oil bearing communities, but the company is operating irresponsible, while the contract is being managed like a personal property.
“We don’t want the company to continue with the surveillance contract. Let the contract be withdrawn from Ocean Marine to avoid breakdown of law and order.”
The IPDI said the Federal Government and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should not pay deaf ears to its call as the affected communities might resort to self-help by stopping the foreigners employed by the company to work as surveillance guards.
“We equally, want to urge Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Governor on Security Matters, to use his office to rally round security apparatus in the state and beyond to compel Ocean Marine Solution Limited to do the needful, or get the contract be terminated.
“It has been proven that the company is not ready to improve the situation of things among oil host communities and there is no need allowing it to trade with our destiny.
“Therefore, we are calling on the Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 5, Directors of DSS in Delta and Edo states and the Chief of Army Staff to hold Ocean Marine responsible for any breakdown of law and order among Warri, Gbaramatu, Escravos, Egbema, Burutu and Ogulagha host communities arising from his failure to mitigate the plights of the youths in the affected host communities.
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