Universal Energy Condemns Impoundment Of Tanks By Mbo Youths

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.