TOTAL EXPLORATION MENDS FENCES WITH HOST COMMUNITIES

Three communities in Rivers State, Andoni, Mgbuesilaru and Rebesi have faulted the commitment of TOTAL Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) in honoring its agreements with them.

Total signed a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the communities in 2008, in which it promised to send the indigenes to school as well as to provide them with opportunities.

However according to a representative of Mgbuesilariu community in Port Harcourt Local Council, Eze Ejike Wali, Total defaulted on its commitments and displayed a nonchalant attitude in keeping to its end of the bargain.

Deputy Managing Director of Total Exploration Nigeria Limited, Denis Berthelot at a meeting with representatives from the host communities renewed Total’s pledge to engage the host community’s indigenes with opportunities and provide development.

He said, “In order to arrive at our goal of establishing a new partnership agreement, there will be need to observe all the rules we shall set for ourselves during all the discussions sessions, keeping in mind that we are partners in progress.”

“We shall first agree on procedural aspects and then the substantive items. The target will be to work closely together to reach mutually beneficial conclusions that would enable TEPNG participate further in the development of the various communities.”