- calls on AGIP to provide gas turbines or exit Isoko
An Isoko leader in the diaspora, Chief Obaro Odu, on Tuesday, described the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the Nigerian AGIP Oil Company Ltd with Isoko Cluster Communities as a slap in the face of the Isoko people.
Odu, who was irked by the terms of agreement as contained in the ‘Social Initiatives’ provision in the GMoU for 2022 to 2026, said, “Isoko oil producing communities for more than six decades, have been reeling from neglect and impoverishment of the ecological consequences of this industry despite the millions of barrels of crude oil being exploited by AGIP which left the communities environmentally and socio-economically ravaged.”
Chief Odu, the immediate past President-General of the Isoko Association of North America (IANA) said, “What I see in the GMoU is nothing but inconsequential efforts aimed at hoodwinking the Isoko people, bearing in mind the billions of dollars AGIP is making annually from oil exploitation and exploration in Isoko land.
It is as if Isoko is now a conquered territory of pigmies as exemplified in what AGIP wants to give back to the oil communities, such as few millimetres length of roads, enrolment of 45 students in a bursary scheme for tertiary education.
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“AGIP has raked billions in dollars since its operations in Isokoland, and it needs to do more than merely award academic bursaries in secondary schools and rehabilitation of few lengths of roads at the cluster communities in Isoko.
“What Isoko direly needs is Gas Turbines electricity. Nothing short of the type of electricity being enjoyed by AGIP in their various camps.
“Yes, what we see in AGIP’s yards is 24/7 power supply powered by Independent Power Plants (IPPs) that are fuelled by natural gas. The Isoko cluster communities in Isoko North and South LGAs in the GMoU hosts some of the oil and gas facilities of AGIP including well locations and flow lines.
“Thus it is imperative to extend such power to its Isoko oil host communities. If AGIP will not provide us gas turbine electricity, they should know that they have over stayed their welcome in Isoko and such, should get ready to exit every square inch of Isoko land.
“I must call on the Presidents -General of the Isoko cluster communities to reject the gimmick from AGIP and enter into a new GMoU for the provision of gas turbines electricity that will light up Isoko.”
