The Forum of CDCs in the 27 communities of Omoku, headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, has debunked rumours making the rounds that Agip surveillance job chances have been shared.
Making the rebuttal at the weekend, Chairman of the forum, Comrade Emeka Ogbowu, urged the people of the affected communities and the public to disregard the rumour, describing it as unfounded.
He however explained that there was a meeting called by Agip at its Port Harcourt headquarters comprising all the stakeholders of its operational areas, which included Omoku, adding that in the meeting, Agip announced the dissolution of all surveillances in the old operational areas.
“After the dissolution, they told us that from January they will commence another surveillance but will be minding the job themselves, considering the high rate of oil theft in their operational areas, and rather create what is called social service to communities.
“They said eight chances will be given in each of the locations and 1km of their flow light, and that every community should go home, think and come back.”
Comrade Ogbowu said a meeting was convened at the Civic Center, Omoku and the matter was discussed and suggestions were made for more information from Agip.
Furthermore, he said, Agip wrote through Traceguard, one of the security companies that will handle their surveillance jobs, and 472 chances were released.
He said meetings were also held by stakeholders who now went into research to discover how many oil wells were in the area.
“We did all that and got back to the community. We got about 82 oil wells even though it may not be exact. Agip, again, called a meeting inviting six persons to be in attendance – two CDC representatives, two stakeholders, and two Ezes which we went.
Discussions were made and we also tendered the facilities report to them. Agip also made their own claims, said what they have is 62 oil wells and 14km flow light. We told them to know that we have 82.
They said in that 62, 20 are dead oil wells and we disagreed. In the area of flow light, they said 14 and we said we have 29 km.
So when we left, we made consultations and called a stakeholders meeting, and we said if that be the case we will still go back to them.”
On the disbandment of youth bodies, he said it was as a result of restiveness on the part of the youths who invaded meetings that did not concern them, fighting, threatening to kill and trying to raise issues that could jeopardize the interest and peace of Omoku communities.
