Mkpoikana Udoma
18 May 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — The French oil giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, TEPNG, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amah Community in Igburu Clan, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Total’s Executive General Manager, Joint Venture Field Operations, Mr. Vincent Kiehl, at the MoU signing ceremony, said the MoU is important as it will promote peace and cordial relationship between the host community and the company.
Kiehl stressed that the MoU will not only promote peace but will also benefit the host community with key developmental projects.
Represented by the General Manager, Field Offshore, Mr. Linn Ludovic, the EGM, decried the spate of vandalism of its facilities in the area.
He solicited for utmost cooperation of the community for an enabling working environment.
“It is an important moment for the company, thumps up for everyone who made this MoU a reality. It is important for the company and Amah community because it will help to promote peace between us and your community.
“However, few weeks ago, we heard about vandalization of one of our flowline in your community. We are surprised because such practice should not be expected considering our relationship.
“I hope that we can trust your community to help avoid this kind of acts. We really need your support to nib such act in the bud and to give us a peaceful atmosphere for our operation.”
Responding, the Paramaout Ruler of Amah Community, Eze Vincent Didi, expressed optimism that the implementation of the MoU by Total will be smooth and within a short time frame.
The Monarch said it was impossible for indigenes of Amah community to vandalise Total’s facility in the area, due to the relationship the company has with the community.
He appealed that the MoU and other projects initiated by the company implemented, assuring that the community will continue to be a friend to the company.
“We have always considered Total as our partners in business, for a month now Amah community has no water. I have made several efforts but all we get is that you are working on it. So I am calling on the management of Total to look into the matter.
“Amah will continue to be a friend to Total, the vandals of your flowline are not from Amah community. If you look at that area, that flowline is between us and other communities. No indigene of Amah has the equipment or even the mindset to cut Total pipeline knowing how important Total is to us.
“Most of the developmental projects today in our community were done by Total, so we guard jealously Total facilities in our communities, we don’t joke with them.
“So please don’t punish us for what we know nothing about, let this MoU be implemented and let our water project that you have started be implemented.
“I don’t think anything can stop us from being friends with you Total. We will always remain friends, we will always work to ensure that the bond between Amah community and Total continue to be strong.”
