By Bayonle Adegbola
In spite of the Audit exercise initiated by NNPC Ltd, it was gathered that the management of the National Oil Company wrote several letters to EROTON to resolve the underlying commercial and operational issues.
The NNPC had also begun appropriate steps as to invoke relevant provisions of the JOA to remedy this operational malady of OML 18.
In a letter written to the EFCC, the NNPC stated that, “as they continue to find lasting solutions within the sphere of time, we kindly request that the EFCC too should carry out an independent, in-depth investigation into the allegations against Eroton in the interest of the JV and of the Nation too.
EROTON has then denied the allegations and said that it was not involved in any financial mismagement and it still controls OML 18.
The company stated that it was false for a section of the media to claim that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had taken over the operatorship of OML 18.
“First, it is important to state that Eroton remains the Operator of OML 18. The issue of operatorship of OML 18 is a contractual one and is governed by the joint operating agreement among participating entities,” the company said.
“We wish to inform the public and our partners that in discussing any change of the operator under the joint operating agreement, there is a clearly defined process, which has not been followed.
“Therefore, any purported change by any other party is nullity ab-initio and without any effect whatsoever,”
It argued that the media publication falsely utilised incorrect information to accuse Eroton of various infractions.
“We wish to clarify and state that these allegations are baseless and unfounded and, as stated above, the due process of the law in line with the joint operating agreement and the rule of law has been breached in the futile attempt to displace the valid and subsisting operator of the joint venture.
“Furthermore, we would like to make it clear that any lack of production from OML 18 alluded to in the false reporting, has been primarily due to the unavailability of Nembe Creek Trunk Line in the last two years and not to any production issues suffered by Eroton,” the firm stated in a statement that was made available to journalists on Sunday.
“The firm said it was also pertinent to note that this was an industry wide problem due to notorious crude theft and sabotage of pipelines in the Niger Delta, stressing that this was a notorious and widely known fact.
“Eroton categorically denies any fraudulent act as stated in the false report in the operations of OML 18, as all issues are contractual and therefore has nothing to do with the jurisdiction of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as contained in the false reporting,” it stated.
“We would like to stress that Eroton remains the operator of OML 18 despite the attempts of forced displacement of some Eroton staff from our Alakiri Gas Plant on February 24, 2023, by armed and unknown men who claimed to be representatives of the other JV partner, Sahara.
“They acted without the due process of law and in total breach of the terms and conditions as stipulated in the joint operating agreement.
“Eroton remains committed to transparency, integrity and due process, and urges the general public and stakeholders to disregard any misinformation as we continue to operate in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.”