OML 42: Host Community urges Neconde Energy to Vacate Odidi Oil Field
By Ezekiel Kagbala
Leaders of Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have urged Neconde Energy Limited, the joint venture partner of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) on the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, to vacate their community at the expiration of the Freedom to operate (FTO) agreement which the oil firm signed with Odidi community.
This was contained in a statement signed on behalf of the community by the Secretary, Mr. Clement Numa, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Monday evening.
The statement expressed concern that the oil company has been depriving the people of Odidi of the legitimate benefits due to them as spelt out in the Global FTO they signed in 2024 with Neconde.
"Neconde Energy Limited and its subsidiary companies, did not keep to terms in the 2024 Global FTO which stated that maintenance of flow lines and other jobs should be handled by the community contractors, yet Neconde used their subsidiary companies to take back the jobs", the statement partly read.
It continued, "As we speak, Neconde is owing the community from the FTO which will expire on April 29, 2025.
"The Global FTO with Neconde Energy Limited will not be renewed and Odidi community have decided not to renew, to resist divide and rule pattern that has always made them have their way.
"This time, Neconde and its subsidiary companies including Jones Creek Hydrocarbon Limited B and Q and all others should vacate Odidi peacefully.
"Neconde is owing the community. They should pay up all backlogs that they are owing and leave.
"We are giving them seven days to pay all that they are owing the community from the 2024 Global FTO and leave.
"Youths, host contractors and all stakeholders are suffering as the FTO has failed to meet the aspirations of the host communities".
The Public Relations Officer of Odidi community, Michael Konkemele also commented on the issue noting that "the joint agreement has only served the interest of the company while the host community is neglected".
He disclosed that the Global FTO with Jonescreek Hydrocarbons commenced on 1st May 2024 and will expire on April 29th 2025.
“All contracts ranging from wellhead revamp, flowline repair, sectional replacement and reconstruction, dredging, well interventions, flowstation re-entry gas lifts repairs, and gas compression, among others, were all done by Neconde subsidiary companies.
