The company PetroTal reported this Thursday that demonstrators from the Indigenous Association for the Development and Conservation of Bajo Puinahua (AIDECOBAP) began forceful measures on February 28 through the control of the river to prevent the transit of the barges that transport the crude oil production of the Lot 95 and food for the staff of the camp located in the district of Puinahua, province of Requena (Loreto).
Luis Pantoja, general manager of the company, explained that they were forced to stop the transfer activity to avoid environmental damage and safeguard the integrity of their workers and the population. Similarly, crude oil production has been reduced in order to maintain the operability of the wells and the infrastructure of the North Brittany field.
The company assured that it has already reported this forceful measure to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM)Congress of the Republic and the competent ministries.
AIDECOBAP justifies its measure of force by neglecting the demands addressed to the State, as indicated in the pronouncements made in recent days.
Despite the presence of the Crime Prevention Prosecutor’s Office and the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guards (DICAPI) on March 2, it has not been possible to reestablish public order, while the company continues with the risk of paralyzing its operations.
PetroTal urged the demonstrators to end the force measure and establish a space for dialogue between the State, the company, AIDECOBAP and the Puinahua Board of Authorities to establish a climate of social peace in the district.
According to the company, the possible stoppage of the oil wells would generate operational difficulties for the company that will be reflected in a negative impact on the canon received by the Loreto region, the province of Requena and especially the district of Puinahua, as well as in the transfers to the Social Fund of Puinahua promoted by PetroTal; At the same time, it will impact the value of the company listed internationally and reduce the attraction of foreign capital to the country, specifically to the Loreto region.
In relation to the committed social fund and its administration, PetroTal reported that it has contracted a company specialized in the design of social funds that will carry out field work to collect the opinion, recommendations and contributions of the communities and hamlets of the Puinahua district through processes of work in a participatory and comprehensive manner.
The company has made available to the Puinahua Social Fund 2.5% of the value of its audited production every 15 days, as long as the operation of the batch or the transportation of crude oil is not paralyzed due to social conflicts.
