Pipelines Surveillance Controversy: Chief Lori-Ogbebor spoke in-line with the law, IIG replies NDMRC

The Itsekiri Interest Group, IIG, has described as contemptuous, a recent publication by the Niger Delta Movement for Radical Change, NDMRC, against the Igba of Warri Kingdom, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, as it affects the brewing controversy surrounding the pipeline surveillance contract, recently awarded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, to a company belonging to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo.   

The Itsekiri Interest Group, in a statement made available to Fresh Angle International this morning, Wednesday September 14, posited that they did not expect Chief Ekpemupolo to secure pipelines surveillance contract outside his community, “without a Power of Attorney”, insisting: “The PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) has come to stay, so Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has done nothing wrong, but to speak in line with the law, since it is clearly stated in the PIA that security of pipelines and oil facilities, are the responsibility of the host communities, not foreigners”.

The statement e-signed by the Chairman and Legal Advisor of Itsekiri Interest Group, Gbubemi Awala and Barr Frederick Egbe, respectively, underscored: “The Itsekiri Interest Group, has seen the recent publication of NDMRC as one from a group that is only seeking favour and relevance.

“It is contemptuous to tag a prominent industrialist, who has hotels, established marine companies and known for owning the first 5-Star Hotel in Lagos as an oil thief. It is a known fact that Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has never taken any contract from both Federal or State Government, since she started her advocacy for the people of Niger Delta 33 years ago”.

According to IIG, it was the advocacy started by Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, that brought about the establishment of NDDC and later DESOPADEC, “after 6 years in court with the Delta State Government, during the tenure of Chief James Onanefe Ibori”. 

Whilst faulting the claim by NDMRC that an aspect of the pipeline surveillance contract due to Itsekiri was given (sublet) to Chief Ayirimi Emami, IIG, averred: “The meeting with various youth ethnic Nationalities, doesn't suffice to a Power of Attorney given to anyone or authority to secure pipelines on behalf of Itsekiri communities”.

“It is sad that the people of Niger Delta have become lawless and have made it normal for their emotions to come before the rule of law. If we recall, it was clear that the NDDC Act, was not judiciously followed in the haphazard nomination for the NDDC Board that was done in 2019. Because sections of the Act that talked about the quantum of production and the rotation in alphabetical order, as the bases of nomination of board members, especially positions of the MD and Chairman, were ignored. 

“The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief. Timipre Sylva, should be the ambassador of peace in compliance with the rule of law, particularly as it affects the Niger Delta, so we expect his actions to speak in the situations.

“Just as the President made the right decision by waiting for the outcome of the court to interpret the NDDC Act before appointing a new board, we will advise that the same step be taken before the award of pipelines surveillance contract”, the Itsekiri Interest Group, stressed. 

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