- Odidi community leaders have ordered Neconde Energy Limited to leave their area when the agreement expires on April 29, 2025.
- The community accuses the oil company of breaking promises to hire local contractors and failing to make agreed payments.
The Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area has ordered Neconde Energy Limited to leave its land, accusing the company of breaching key terms of the 2024 Global Freedom to Operate (FTO) agreement.
The community issued a seven-day ultimatum, demanding that Neconde settle all outstanding payments and vacate peacefully when the agreement expires on April 29, 2025.
The community leaders accused Neconde, a joint venture partner with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NNPC E&P Ltd) on Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, of failing to honour commitments made in the agreement, which took effect on May 1, 2024.
In a statement signed by the community secretary, Mr Clement Numa, the leaders said Neconde bypassed local contractors and awarded key oilfield maintenance jobs to its subsidiaries.
“Neconde Energy Limited and its subsidiaries hijacked contracts meant for local contractors. Instead of empowering our people, they handed every job to their companies,” Numa said.
The community also accused Neconde of withholding payments due under the FTO and failing to operate transparently.
“They owe us money and have shown zero accountability. We are giving them seven days to pay everything they owe and leave. This time, we will not renew the agreement. Neconde, Jones Creek Hydrocarbon Limited, B&Q, and all other subsidiaries must vacate Odidi,” the statement read.
Mr Michael Konkemele, the community’s Public Relations Officer, criticised the company for shutting out local contractors and excluding young people from employment.
“Neconde executed every contract, from wellhead revamp to flowline repair and gas lift interventions through its subsidiaries. Our contractors got nothing. Our youths stayed jobless. The agreement served only the company’s interests,” Konkemele said.
The community stressed that Neconde failed to deliver the expected economic and social benefits despite signing a one-year agreement that was supposed to prioritise local content and stakeholder development.
Journalists contacted senior officials at Neconde Energy Limited for comment, but the company did not respond until press time.