By: Our Correspondent
* Gives SPDC June deadline for engagement with host community
Indigenes of Ugborodo Federated Communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, have established what they call ‘ Ikpere Host Community Development Trust, to manage its affairs in – line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, just as they gave Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC midnight of Friday June 9, to negotiate with them directly as regards the petroleum industry law.
Our Correspondent reports that the decision of Ugborodo people was made known to newsmen Saturday June 3, after a well attended meeting of Ugborodo indigenes, held at Ode – Ugborodo same day.
A Cross Section of Ugborodo community indigenes at Ode-Ugborodo during the meeting
A leader in the community and prominent media practitioner, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who addressed news hunters, said the ultimatum handed down to SPDC, followed the suspension of protest against Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL .
According to Eyengho, the suspension of protest against Chevron Nigeria Limited, was to allow further negotiations with the company and interventionist organs such as the Nigeria Upsrream Petroleum Regulation Commission, NUPRC.
Whilst stressing that PIA, ” is purely community based” Comrade Eyengho, expressed hope that the ongoing discussions between Ugborodo and Chevron Nigeria Limited, results in fruitful conclusion.
He maintained that people of Ugborodo, will continually stand against any company operating in their land and dealing with people whose tenure have elapsed, describing such people as fifth columnists and impostors.
The Ugborodo people, urged companies operating in their land, to directly engage them in the community, after getting approval from the Eghare – Aja of Ugborodo.
Public Relations Officer of Ugborodo Community, Besidone Eyengho, on his part, stated that CNL have been told to stop recognising and discussing with leaders of the community, whose tenure have expired.
At the meeting, the Igbajor of Ugborodo, Prince Perry Atete, maintained that the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, is the head of administration of Ugborodo,” unlike other Itsekiri communities, having Olare-Aja” adding: ” The title of Eghare-Aja, is the most distinguished among other Itsekiri communities and isn’t comparable.”
The Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo Federated Communities, Eghare-Daniel Uwawah, commended Ugborodo people, “for their cooperation in the struggle and for their large turnout for the meeting”, urging them to sustain the momentum.
Fresh Angle International can report that the embattled Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayirimi Emami, former Executive Director of Projects in the NDDC, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, Olare-Ajas of the five Ugborodo communities, Mr. Isaac Botosan, Hon. Blexon Omadoye and Hon. Pira, were among notable Ugborodo indigenes that attended the meeting at Ode -Ugborodo.
