Connect with us

COMMUNITY REPORT

Threats To Shutdown Oil Wells In Delta: Okowa Calls For A Sustained Win-win Option

Published

on





As the ultimatum given to the Federal Government by Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom and Itsekiri group expires Thursday, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called for a sustain dialogue to achieve a win-win situation with the Federal Government (FG), over the pending demands.

The Ijaw of Gbaramatu Kingdom and Itsekiri in the Escravos area of Warri South-West LGA had gave the federal government 10 days ultimatum to meet their demands, failure to which they threatened to shutdown oil installations in their domain.

Spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama gave the ultimatum’s warning in a strong worded statement last week. He said that the Kingdom should not be held responsible if the youths resorted to shutting all oil installations in the land.

Advertisement

In the letter, the Gbamaratu people listed their grievances to include the Federal Government failure to restart the multi-billion naira Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project including the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, Ogidigben and Deep Seaport, Okenrekoko in Gbaramatu.

The people had also expressed worried over the failure of the Buhari’s administration to restart the Omadinor-Excravos road Project that was discontinued by APC-led administration and the award of 57 marginal oil fields without considering the host communities.

The Itsekiris also cited similar demands in a statement by Mr Besidone Samuel, spokesman of Itsekiri Oil/Gas Producing Communities, threatening a possible shut down of oil operations in Itsekiri communities. 

Advertisement

The ultimatum expires Thursday with alleged Federal Government adamance to the longstanding demands.

Worried by the development, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, who stood in for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, appealed to Ijaw of Gbaramatu and Itsekiri people to rescind the planned shut down of oil operations for a win-win strategy/outcome which according to him, the Delta State Government was envisaging in its engagement with the federal government.

“I personally appeal that the oil communities consider jettisoning the idea of shutting down oil operations, as a birthday gift to our Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and to enable his team more time to deepen discussions with the appropriate authorities”, he said.

Advertisement

He thanked the Itsekiri and the Ijaw of Gbaramatu for peacefully airing their demands for worldwide attention but was quick to add, “I think that resorting now to shutting down oil operations by Ijaw and Itsekiri in place of the present peaceful path would be seen as confrontational owing to the present financial situation of the FG which the Gbaramatu people acknowledged in their own protest.

“It would additionally cripple Federal Government capacity to address our clearly legitimate demands and erase outside sympathy for the cause. It could lead our vulnerable people thereby deprived of world sympathy to be on collision course with the FG”.

“The world has been watching the commendably peaceful protests by Gbaramatu Ijaw and the Itsekiri, over pending demands.

Advertisement

“It has noted the unfair deprivation of the Modular Floating Dockyard (MFD) for training of students of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko. The demand for  Escravos Processing Zone (EPZ) or Gas Revolution Industrial Park project is  a legitimate quest for benefitting from oil industry funded by their oil.

“The world knows it is unconscionable to deny the oil producing people Oil Mining Licenses (OML) and Marginal Fields generously given to others to their exclusion.

“The world is persuaded that it is immoral to keep the communities in darkness while their oil powers never-dimming lights in premises of the oil companies around”, Otuaro said.

Advertisement

“Let me assure our people that results-producing dialogue is a process, not an event. Let us keep the peace and the faith. Dialogue has yielded some fruits however slow. The FG has awarded the electrification project that will benefit about 50 communities in the said Escravos area and work is ongoing but need be expedited.

“The Delta State Government Committee on the Modular Floating Dockyard chaired by myself, Commissioner of Finance, as well as Barr. Bosin Ebikeme, Hon. Kelly Penawou amongst others, has not closed discussions with the FG on sending the Modular Floating Dockyard to Okerenkoko area for intended purpose while presently supporting the FG efforts in running the Nigerian Maritime University.

“As a government, we also made helicopter-assisted aerial tour/observations of communities impacted by oil pollution ahead of the dying fishes saga mentioned in the Gbaramatu people’s protest, and commissioned soil/water samples for laboratory investigations to enable us push a strong case for environmental remediation”, Otuaro pleaded.

Advertisement
international fraud ring
FEATURED1 hour ago

Alleged N33.8b Fraud: How Mamman Gave Voluntary Confessional Statements before his Lawyers – Witness

BUSINESS13 hours ago

Chinese Coy, N’Delta Interiors Unveil New Wall and Ceiling Cladding with PVC Board in Warri

FEATURED15 hours ago

All Set for Grand Inauguration of Newly Built NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel’s Press Centre, on Fri.

ENTERTAINMENT1 day ago

Police Escorts Risk Sanctions for Misconduct in Actress Angela Okorie’s Viral Street Jogging Video

FEATURED1 day ago

Senato Nwoko Endorses Bill to Establish Drugs Rehabilitation Institute

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Delta Council Chair, Warri Resolves Protracted Boundary Dispute Between Emede and Olomoro (See Details)

OPINION2 days ago

THE NWOKO FACTOR, DOMINANT FORCE IN DELTA NORTH POLITICS

FEATURED2 days ago

PDP Heavyweights Meet INEC Leadership in Abuja

FEATURED2 days ago

Police Nabs Native Doctor with 2 Pump Action Guns in Delta

FEATURED3 days ago

Six Chinese to Spend One Year Each in Nigerian Prison for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

COMMUNITY REPORT3 days ago

Isoko South Boss, Warri Flags off War against Illicit Drugs Abuse

FEATURED3 days ago

2027: Itsekiri Leaders, Stakeholders Unite, Endorse Tinubu, Oborevwori for Second Term

social media
OPINION4 days ago

SENATOR NED NWOKO’S BLUEPRINT FOR A UNITED, PROGRESSIVE NIGERIA

OPINION4 days ago

2027: WHY THE URHOBO NATION MUST ROOT FOR A RANKING SENATOR

FEATURED4 days ago

Warri Ward Delineation Crisis: ISOPLOT Fires Back at INYA, Says ‘You’ve Lost Your Voice to Speak for Isoko Youths’

Advertisement
Advertisement