In RiversEx militants give oil companies 14 days to leave state

The militants said they had to take the action because the companies refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ekpeye community.

 

 

 

A group of ex militants under the aegis of Ekpeye Liberation Group have issued a 14 day ultimatum to oil companies in Rivers state to stop their operations and leave.

The militants issued the warning on Thursday, June 16, 2016, saying they had to take the action because the companies refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ekpeye community.

The affected oil companies are: Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources.

The spokesman of the group, Obodo Obodo, in a statement said “The Ekpeye Liberation Group, a forum of ex-militants and freedom agitators from the Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State (Part of the Niger Delta), is utterly disappointed with the conduct of the oil multinational companies operating in the area.

“In the light of their nonchalant, including lukewarm attitude to the massive killings and kidnappings of our people in recent times, the Ekpeye Liberation Group has been forced to issue a notice of eviction to all oil companies operating in Ekpeye territory and its waters.

“They (oil companies) are required to pack out of Ekpeyeland within 14 days, from Thursday 16th of June or face massive vandalisation of their assets. A stitch in time saves nine.”

Meanwhile, the minister of state for petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu  paid a visit to Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta State, to meet with representatives of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).