The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has waded into the conflict between Chevron and its host communities in Delta and Bayelsa states over the 2012 rig blowout.

Mr. Mathew Sele-Epri, who represented Chevron host communities, said yesterday that the three parties held talks on Tuesday. According to him, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, Commander of JTF, presided over the meeting held at JTF Headquarters in Yenagoa between Chevron and representatives of the impacted communities.

Koluama communities, hosts to Chevron’s operations in Southern Ijaw Local government Area, Bayelsa, had threatened to resume agitation for compensation for the 2012 rig explosion in Chevron’s field.

Hundreds of youths from Koluama on September 15 boarded the North Apoi oil platform operated by Chevron over nonpayment of compensation for the rig blowout but vacated the facility after officials of the oil firm opted for dialogue.

The January 2012 explosion had sparked off a fire at the rig which lasted for over 50 days before it was put out.

Sele-Epri said that the parties to the talks resolved to await the outcome of a Post Impact Assessment (PIA) study which will form the basis of negotiations for compensation to affected communities.

His words: “The JTF Commander appealed that we should suspend our planned protests to agitate for compensation and he advised that we should rather find out the status of the PIA from National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). The General appealed to all parties to maintain the peace while the issues are being resolved amicably.

“Representatives of Chevron told the gathering that the PIA report is expected to come out in November and be accessible to all the parties by the end of November, the meeting was adjourned to November 21.”

Sele-Epri said that the communities have commissioned independent impact assessment studies and would compare the reports with the one conducted by the regulators.

“We had earlier agreed that there was damage because the proofs of damage and impact were well documented, we are awaiting the report to ascertain the level of damage,” he said.

Mr. Deji Haastrup, Chevron’s General Manager in charge of Communications Policy, Government and Public Affairs, says the company remains committed to dialogue in resolving conflicts.

“Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) confirms that on Monday September 15, 2014, some youths claiming to be from communities neighbouring our operations in Bayelsa, who illegally boarded our North Apoi platform off the coast of Nigeria, have vacated the facility peacefully,” Haastrup said. “No one on the platform was harmed and there was no damage to the facilities. CNL continues to advocate respect for the rule of law and the use of constructive dialogue in the resolution of all issues.”

Mr. Haastrup however declined comments on the ongoing negotiations and the documented statement earlier issued stating that the incident had no impact on its host communities.

•Photo shows Chevron oil rig on fire.

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