Delta Community Tackles SPDC Over PIA’s Implementation, Gives June 9 Deadline For Engagement

Indigenes of Ugborodo Federated Communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, have intensified their disagreement with Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) over failure to engage them in the process of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIA).

Already, the people have created what they call ‘Ikpere Host Community Development Trust’, to manage its affairs in -line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

They, however gave it SPDC until midnight of Friday June 9, to negotiate with them directly as regards the petroleum industry law.

The development followed the Saturday June 3 stakeholders meeting of Ugborodo indigenes, held at Ode-Ugborodo.

Addressing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, a leader in the community, Mr. Alex Eyengho, 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 Upstream Petroleum Regulation Commission, NUPRC.

Admitting 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 partstated 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.

Presence at the meeting was 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.