By Baron Ike
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to take over the operatorship of the oil mining lease (OML), 11 from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), effective April 30, 2019. The OML is located in the troubled Ogoniland in Rivers State.
Buhari in his directive contained in a memo to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru, written on March 1, 2019, and signed by his chief of staff, Abba Kyari, also directed that NNPC should confirm possession on May 2, 2019.
Buhari said the operatorship had become necessary given the delicate situation in the Ogoni land.