OML 30 surveillance job: Call your attorney general to order, youths urge Okowa

By Elo Edremoda, Warri

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been urged to call the Delta State Attorney General, Peter Mrakpor “to order,” following a letter from his office, claiming that non-indigenes are recruited for surveillance jobs of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30.

Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo youths across OML 30 host communities gave the call in a statement made available to The Nation, accusing the Commissioner of Justice of trying to serve the interest of some “failed contractors.”

The youths, under the aegis of Host Communities Youth Coalition, gave 14 days ultimatum to Mrakpor to withdraw the said letter, allegedly sent to Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operator of OML 30, warning that there will be mass protest against him if he calls their bluff.

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According to the statement, the Attorney General had in the said letter, signed on his behalf by one Mr. Omamuzo Erebo on August 13, stated that the surveillance and asset security contract on the facility, is being done by a non-indigenous contractor, contrary to the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the communities and HEOSL.

The statement which was signed by Prince Brakemi (Ijaw), Gbubemi Toriseju (Itsekiri), Zino Oke (Isoko) and Dennis Okpako (Urhobo), further commended the State Government for its efforts in protecting the rights of host communities with respect to non-payment of GMOU project funds, manpower services, staff audit and payment of contractors.

In the statement which reads in part, the youths said, “It is important to note that the entire OMS operations is controlled and managed by Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Urhobo people from the OML 30 host communities in Delta State and not non-indigenous, as the Attorney General’s office would want the public to believe.

“As youths and beneficiaries of the OML 30 Heritage Surveillance and Asset Security job, we are hereby giving the Attorney General of Delta State 14 days ultimatum to withdraw his letter to HEOSL with respect to the surveillance and asset security contract or we shall embark on mass protest against him for promoting the interest of his business partners at the expense of the state,” the statement read.