Universal Energy Resources Limited
(UERL), an indigenous firm and operator of the Stubb Creek Marginal Oil Field,
has condemned in strong term the recent impoundment of its oil tanks by irate
youths in the state under aegis of Mbo Youth Development Association during a
Maximum Efficiency Rate Test (MER) on its oil wells, a prerequisite by the
Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
The Management, through a statement made
available to newsmen by its Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia,
said “crude produced as a result of the MER test were stored in rented tanks
since 2013 which was eventually pumped through our pipeline when we commenced
production. Those rented empty tanks were therefore released to the contractor
and were being transported out of our field when they were wrongly impounded by
Community Youths.”
“All allegations made by the said
Community Youths are wrong and unsubstantiated just as their actions in
disrupting the smooth exit of those hired empty tanks were uncalled for. We
want to reiterate that Universal Energy does not truck crude using tanks but
uses approved pipelines to deliver crude to Mobil QIT,” the statement further
stressed.
The Management also said the company had
put in place avenues upon which enquiries could have been made officially by
the youths in respect of its operations through an existing Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the host communities.
According to the statement, “by the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) existing between ourselves and our Host
Communities, we have put in place avenues and channels upon which enquiries
could have been made officially by the Community in respect of movement in and
out of our Operational Base. Regrettably those avenues/channels were not
utilized and trucks conveying those empty tanks were impounded by Community
Youths.”
“We wish to also reiterate our
commitment to maintaining the highest standard of Social Responsibility within
our Operating Environment and to respect the Host Communities where we operate.”
The company, which said it imbibes best practices
in its operations and frowns at all insinuations to the contrary, wished to
correct all negative impressions created by the unwarranted actions of the
youths.
