The people of Umutu Community in Ukwuani LGA of Delta State during their recent town meeting rejected the proposal of the Platform Petroleum Limited to introduce the Global Memorandum of Understanding to the four communities hosting the company. During the meeting which was held at the town hall, and chaired by the President General of Umutu Development Union, UDU, Chief Gil Esume Uzoka, among other decisions called on the Oil and Gas Committee of the town to see to it that the oil company will not stampede them to sign the GMOu.
Speaker after speaker, during the meeting gave reasons why the so called GMOu should not be signed with the oil operating company who had not be doing enough to better the community.
An investigation by Ndokwa Reporters revealed that most major oil companies globally are already practising the GMOu, but the people of Umutu says platform Petroleum Limited is not matured enough to practice it. The state and federal governments has already giving the go ahead for this to all communities and oil companies operating in the country, this according to our source will help reduce tension and get the host communities to be more involved in the development of their communities.
While, the people of Adonishaka in Ebedei one of the four host communities is in support of the move of the Umutu community, according to the Chairmen of the Oil and Gas Committee in the community, Engr Joseph Nwaiku, the other two communities of Akoku and Obi Oghene, are ready to play along with the oil company.
According to Engr Nwaiku, PPL want to introduce GMOu and the people are not well informed of its global benefits both parties.
..We will Sign Individual MOu soon, Platform
However, the Manager Community Relations, Mr Alumona has informed Ndokwa Reporters in an interview that the issue will soon be settled as the company is considering going back to the old practice pending when it will be right to implement the GMOu. According to him, the old MOu just expired last December, so what the company just decided is to sign with individual communities for another one or two years, while the sensitization exercise will be carried out, through seminars, workshops and enlightenment publications on the benefit of having a common MOu with the communities.
