By Christopher Odamah, Warri
WARRI: Ijaw Indigenes of Benikrukru Community of Warri South LGA, Delta State has denied allegation of their plan disruption of Chevron Abieye Flow Station. Rather, they assured Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) of the safety of its Abiteye Flow station.
Addressing newsmen over the issue in Warri, weekend, Chairman of Benikrukru Community, Chief Jeffrey Ojogun assured Chevron of the safety of Abiteye Flow station, stressing that whatever is happening in the community was internal and had nothing to do with the American oil giant, Chevron.
The Abiteye Flowstation is the Swamp Headquarters of Chevron and it produces about 250 barrels of oil per day.
Guaranteeing the safety of equipments and personnel of Chevron located within the community, Ojogun said, “I want to through you, Gentlemen of the Press tell Chevron that there is no plan whatsoever to cripple its operations at the Abiteye Flowstation. We are law abiding and peaceful citizens and we will remain so.”
According to him, “It is true that there are some issues in our community begging for urgent resolution, but we want Chevron to know that they are internal issues and all peace loving people of Benikrukru are working hard to resolve them. What are on ground have nothing to do with Chevron and I want to reassure the company again that there is no plan to disrupt its operations in the community.
“Those who do not want peace and development of Benikrukru are those spreading dangerous rumours of plot to disrupt Chevron operations. We need Chevron dearly in our community to help in its development and so how can we plot against the company that is willing to develop the community and its people.
“Chevron should disregard the rumour of planned disruption of its operations the Abiteye Flowstation. We need Chevron and Chevron needs us too. The relationship that has been built over the years between Chevron and the Benikrukru Community must be sustained and as the Chairman, I want to reassure the company on behalf of the community that we will do everything possible to protect its facilities from vandals and other bad elements even in the face of threats to our lives.”
The Benikrukru Community Chairman who promised to work with the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas and other stakeholders to bring the needed peace and development to his area advised all those spreading dangerous rumours about his person and his Exco to thread the path of peace and do everything to sustain the prevailing peace in the oil communities made possible by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
He said; “I want to tell members of the public in general and Chevron in particular that there is no security threat in Benikrukru Community and there is no cause for alarm. We will continue to promote the peace and security agenda of the State Government. There is really nothing for Chevron to worry about its Abiteye Flowstation as we cannot do anything to disrupt its operations. My Exco will attract more facilities to the community before the expiration of our tenure and we need Chevron to help us achieve this.”
Ojogun further said , “We have always protected Chevron facilities in our area and we will continue to do so. But anybody who will go and disrupt Chevron operations in the name of our community should be held responsible as the community is not part of such thing. The person is on his own and should be treated as such, but we will do our best to ensure there is no attack on the Abiteye Flow station and other facilities of the company in our area.”