Emma Amaize
11 December 2011, Sweetcrude, WARRI – THERE was indication, weekend, that Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, may consent to a Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMOU, with the people of Uzere community in Isoko South Local Government of Delta State to put to rest the over 53-year –old feud between both sides.
Three persons were shot dead, last week, by security agents in a clash with the villagers, who shut down the company’s flow station in Uzere and asked the multinational firm to quit unless it signed a GMoU with them.
A dependable source told Vanguard, “It is true that Shell has not signed GMoU with Uzere people since they started operation in the community, but that is not to say that it is against entering agreement with Uzere”.
“The truth is that GMoU is being implemented in phases in the Niger-Delta by the company. , but the Delta state government had waded into the dispute and asked Shell to fashion out a GMoU with the people, I am sure the company will comply. That is what the community and state government are waiting for now”, he added..
SPDC’s Media Relations Officer in Warri, Mr. Joseph Obari in a statement made available to Vanguard observed, “SPDC’s successful GMoU model of sustainable community development is being implemented in phases across the Niger Delta. In addition to two project specific GMoUs, the programme is already being implemented in three clusters in Delta State”.
His words, “The Delta State Government has set in motion mediation processes for the resolution of GMoU related grievances, which led to a dispute between the Uzere community and the SPDC JV. A December 6, 2011 meeting previously agreed to address the dispute was pre-empted by disturbances by some youths in the community on November 29, 2011”.
“SPDC was scheduled to brief the Delta State House of Assembly on progress towards the Uzere MoU but the meeting was postponed by the authorities on November 10, 2011”,he added.
