Lorine Emenike
The Rivers State Government has expressed happiness over the return of peace in two oil host communities in the state.
This is as the two communities, the Mgbuesilaru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and Nvakohia-Rumuekpe in Emohua LGA, have accepted the signing of the renegotiated Memorandum of Understanding with Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited.
The Rivers Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Sunny Ejekwu, commended the communities for accepting to peace to renew MoU with Total.
He said: “There were different disagreement within the communities. There were forces that wanted to derail the process not to hold today.
“What we used to know is that IOCs lookout for faults in the community to pull out from MoUs; months and years will run, who loses, the community.
“We thank you for your commitment to ensuring that this is achieved. The communities have faced different challenges, but I am happy that we have resolved all and come together to sign this MoU.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Port Harcourt District, Total E&P, Mr Obi Imemba, expressed happiness on the formal signing ceremony of the renegotiated MoU, adding that over four years have elapsed since the expiration of their last agreement.
Imemba noted that that the MoU would have a far-reaching impact on the communities in the areas of infrastructural development and employment, adding that the firm was prepared to touch the lives of community people.
He thanked the Rivers State Government, particularly, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, for aiding the commencement and conclusion of the renegotiations, despite the seeming distractions that tried to truncate the achievement.
Imemba said: “There is no doubt that both parties have worked hard towards this mutually acceptable outcome, bearing in mind that the last MoU with the communities expired in December 2016/2017 and due to intracommunity conflicts it was difficult to renegotiate the Mou. We all should therefore be proud of this achievement as this is a notable milestone in our relationship with each other.
“Going through the MoUs to be signed by the parties today, I am convinced that their content and depth are quite far-reaching end have the potential to positively affect the lives of communities. The various provisions
made in the MoUs, from our infrastructure to human capital development initiatives, it is clear that on our own part, the company is committed to touching the lives of the people regardless of the challenges which the
the industry is facing today.
“You would also notice that in line with recent changes and to ensure sustainable implementation as well as timely project execution, we are re-emphasizing due diligence in the process of execution of the various agreements we have entered with you now. We have made various presentations to you in the course of these negotiations to ensure that we carry you along in our way of doing things to also ensure that the areas of disagreement during actual implementation are reduced to the barest minimum.”
He, therefore, applauded the renewed relationships between the communities and Total, urging parties to work closely t ensure that the MoUs were implemented in full.
Meanwhile, the paramount ruler of Mgbuesilaru community, Eze Princewill Ejike Weli, commended Total and Rivers State Government for the effort to bring the renegotiation to light.
Weli said: “For over 5 years now this MoU ought to have been signed. But we have been hearing our community in the news in a bad light.
“We have resolved our problem in the community. We work for the success of the community and ensure that we move on.
“We commend the effort of Total for this success. They stood firm and made it clear that they know the community and would work for the peace.
“We want to assure the company that the community will abide by the agreement and ensure that every aspect of the MoU is implemented. What happened in the community would have led to burning of houses, but, Chieftaincy cannot bring a crisis in my community.”
Also, Chief Sunday Oloko, who spoke for Nvakohia Community, maintained that his Community has remained united and committed to the success of the process.
He said: “Since 2016/2017 when it expired it has been from one problem to another. Nvakaohia today is one. We have no difference. The signing is going on. We are going on now.
