Group Lauds Rivers Monarchs’ Intervention In OML 18 Feud

The Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has lauded two traditional rulers in Rivers State, King Asari Dokubo and King Lawrence Odum-Barboy, for their intervention in resolving the feud surrounding the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 Board.

It said the peace meeting convened by the monarchs availed the organisation the opportunity to bring to the fore other issues that has led to channels of communication being opened by the Board.

MOSIEND disclosed this in a statement signed by the Obama Clan Chairman, Comrade Blessing Braide, which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The statement stated that the peace meeting also brought about a level of understanding and progress in addressing the demands made to the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which is the operator of OML 18.

It reiterated the group’s demand for local employment opportunities for qualified graduates and skilled youths as well as award of contracts to credible indigenous companies.

“This meeting availed us the opportunity to bring to the fore other issues that has led to channels of communication being opened by the Board. We note that this has brought about a level of understanding and progress in addressing the demands made to NNPC Ltd.

“We reiterate our six-point demands to NNPC Ltd, which include: comprehensive investigation into NNPC 18’s operations in Cawthorne Channel and transparency in deliverables, including publication of developmental initiatives.

“Others are payment of outstanding entitlements, including PIA provisions, local employment opportunities for qualified graduates and skilled youths, indigenous contract awards to credible companies and fair worker remuneration, particularly in the DAA 3 clusters.”