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Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has denied supporting anti-security activities against the Mgbuoshimini community in Obio-Akpor council of Rivers State.
The denial followed a report, titled: “Rivers community seeks termination of contracts over alleged killings,” published on May 4.
NAOC, in a statement, said it adheres to local content principles and observes due diligence in line with major international standards while issuing contracts to bidders from the community.
Recall that members and stakeholders of Mgbuoshimini community, Rumueme Kingdom had written to the General Manager of the company to terminate surveillance and cluster contracts and payment of some contractors following a crisis in the community.
The petition was signed by the Chairman, of Mgbuoshimini Community Stakeholders Forum, Ohazurume Chukwu; President, of Mgbuoshimini Youth Movement, Osonwene Frank Nyeche; and General Secretary, of Mgbuoshimini Youth Movement, Marvin Echem, dated April 28, 2023, and entitled: “Demand for termination of surveillance, cluster contracts and termination of further payment to ‘a wanted’ person.”
The letter requested Agip management to end every deal with one of their sons, whom they alleged masterminded the 2017 killings in the community, among others.
But NAOC said: “NAOC, following the Nigerian Content principles, has always encouraged the participation of host communities in business opportunities available in the course of carrying out its operations. This applies to all circumstances and contracts are issued according to these principles.
“For this reason, NAOC prohibits and undertakes to prevent, any form of relation with people or behaviour that constitutes threat to security.
“The company takes into serious consideration any issue raised by public authorities and institutional stakeholders of the territories where the company operates.”
