The Delta State Government on Monday in Warri expressed dissatisfaction over the unserious approach of the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, towards the search for an amicable resolution of its dispute with Ogulagha community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro said this at the Government House Annex Warri during a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, SPDC and representatives of Ogulagha community.
A labour-related dispute between SPDC and Ogulagha community over the sack of some 22 workers by the oil firm had led to the shutdown of the Forcados Crude oil terminal which was only reopened after the intervention of the state government.
Otuaro insisted that the state government was not pleased by the manner the oil firm was handling the lingering issue.
He said the oil firm ought to be represented at the meeting by very top management officers who were familiar with the issue on ground and not by the Corporate Relations Manager.
Mandating the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba to liaise with the oil firm and the Ogulaha community with a view to getting quality representation and fix a date for the next meeting, the deputy governor adjourned the meeting earlier scheduled for Monday, September 27.
Otuaro who said he was taken aback by the absence of SPDC top management staff at the meeting expressed hope that such key stakeholders would make themselves available for a round table discussion to proffer lasting solution to the disputes.
