By: Our correspondent
…As FG prepares to dialogue with militants
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its American counterpart, Chevron Nigeria
Limited (CNL), outputs have been greatly affected by militant activities in the Niger Delta as it has reduced to 50 per cent we gathered.
Among the facilities destroyed so far by the militants belonging to the two firms are: Forcados Terminal subsea crude export pipeline, Well D25 Valve Platform, Ogan Fspo, Makaraba line among others.
The militant group has also threatened to target their offshore platforms, including Bonga Fpso, EA field and their tank farms such as Bonny tank farm, Escravos tank farm and Forcados tank farm.
The group called Niger Delta Avengers is alleged to be operating from the Gbaramatu axis of
Delta State.
Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Council Area of Delta State is home to ex-warlord, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tomplo, who is wanted over allegations of financial enrichment.
Even though, the ex-militant leader has denied any alliance with the group.
Responding to the operation of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), its spokesperson, Joseph Obari said: “We continue to monitor the security situation in our operating areas in the Niger Delta and are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of staff and contractors. We do not wish to go into details. Our operations are continuing.”
On the damaged Forcados Terminal subsea crude export pipeline, he said.
“SPDC is intensifying efforts on spill containment and spilled oil recovery on the February 14 2016 spill, while also finalizing repair plans pending the conclusion of the ongoing Joint Investigation Visit into the cause and impact of the spill.’’
On his part, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) Chevron Nigeria Limited, Deji Haastrup, said tersely. “We are not commenting on this at this time. Suffice to say that our number one priority is the safety of people and the protection of the environment and
physical assets.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu has hinted that the Federal Government may resort to dialogue with the Niger Delta Militants in a bid to end the activities of militancy in the region.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said using military might to fight militancy will not end the restiveness in the area.
Kachikwu said, “The military barrels cannot stop or solve problem of militancy in the Niger–Delta region. I will have to go back to my brothers, they are our brothers; we will go and dialogue with them.”
