A group under the auspices of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Monitoring Group, NDO&GMP today stated that the Aiteo Eastern Operations, Operators of the Member Creek Trunk Line, NCTL has been allegedly engaged in illegal activities including Illegal bunkering.
This is coming following the recent face off between the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman and his Operatives.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator and Secretary, Biukeme Pereteibo and Tolaifa Government noted that they have reported its observations of the oil company to the Joint Task Force, JTF stressing,” Aiteo is noted for various shady deals in its operations.”
“We are aware that Aiteo has been engaged in illegal activities, including oil bunkering”.
The group accused Aiteo Management and its Chief Executive Officer, Benedict Peters of attempting to frustrate the successful reduction of oil theft by allegedly blackmailing the Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman and his Operatives.
The group there are alleged moves by the company to scuttle the relative peace being enjoyed in the Niger Delta region for selfish benefits.
It would be recalled that Aiteo and the Commander of JTF have been having altercations over the sponsors of last Monday protest at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja by a group of youths calling for the removal Rear Admiral Apochi.
The JTF Boss had accused the Chief Executive of Aiteo of being behind the protest which the company reacted to yesterday absolving Mr. Benedict Peters.
In a reaction, NDO&GMP angrily accused Aiteo and its Chief Executive Officer of being behind the protest and wondered where the said protesters got money to hire buses and print glossy banners for the protest if not from Mr. Benedict Peters that have the resources to fund such project.
“Is it only Aiteo that is operating in the Niger Delta? If Admiral Apochi is involved in illegal oil bunkering as alleged by Aiteo, why are other IOCs not also complaining?
The JTF Boss is supervising other security agencies like Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, NSCDC and DSS, why are these agencies not reporting to their offices for action?”.
The group pointed out that t is the efforts of the security outfit to curb the activities of this company that makes it to react this way by sponsoring the protest.
The group also appealed to the media not to allow themselves to be used by Aiteo management and others to thwart the good job JTF is doing in the region.
“The oil theives have a lot of money to throw around to thwart any process that will disturb their illegal operations. So, we appeal to the media to be wary of those coming to them with phantom allegations. Please do your investigations properly before any further publications so as not to discourage those trying to change things around for good”.
“NDO&GMP also urged the Defence Headquarters to wade in and investigate the activities of Aiteo and save the Niger Delta region from another crisis.”
