OML 40: IIA seeks justice for Belief-Gbene, warns IOCs in the area to urgently correct anomaly
By Binebai Princewill
A foremost Niger Delta group under the auspices of Ijaw Interest Advocates, IIA popularly known as the Izanzan Intellectual Camp has berated multinational oil companies operating in OML 40 for alienating Belief-Gbene, an ancient community in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local government Area of Delta State in their ongoing dredging, drilling, pipeline installation and oil exploration activities.
The group had particularly charged NPDC/ELCREST to urgently attend to the demands of Belief-Gbene in Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local government Area before it dovetailed to a protest that cannot be curtailed easily.
This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen in Warri earlier today by the National Secretary of the group, Comr. Ebolo Sam, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspaper.
IIA particularly warned that the IOCs must urgently review whatever agreement it must have entered with any group of persons in order to accommodate Belief-Gbene, an ancient community in the kingdom to avoid further protest that may lead to something else.
The statement reads in part: “An injustice to one Ijaw community is an Injustice to all, having accepted the philosophical statement we call on the management of NPDC/ELCREST to quickly give what belongs to the Belief-Gbene to the peace loving indigenes.
“The deliberate exclusion of Belief-Gbene community as one of the host community will only distort the already existing peace in Egbema kingdom and metropolis, hence the urgent need to amicably resolve the issues is panacea to peace.
“We are reliably informed that several letters were sent on this regards to the company’s, non of this letters has yielded result. Instead they’re planing on their next move for further works which cannot be accepted anymore.
“We know that the path of progress never taken a straight line, but has always been a zigzag course amidst the conflicting forces of right & wrongs , truth and error. Justice & injustice. Cruelty and mercy. Hence we hope that the collective sensibility of the people in Belief-gbene community should not be taking for granted anymore for any reason whatsoever.
“The actions and inaction of IOC’s operation in our oil rich kingdom is no longer healthy to us especially the way and manner the host communities are treated. The crude at the back yard of grand parents are ceaselessly exploited to beautify areas that never produce a drop oil. What an injustice. Enough is enough, this time around we will join the peace loving people of belief-Gbene community to fight the battle to the end.
“We are bold to state that we will not fold our arms and watch one of our communities in Ijaw been deprived of their right; to benefit from the installation and exploration job/process at NPDC/ELCREST OML40. Shall Follow up with them to make sure they are recognize as impacted community as well as enjoy whatever benefit coming in regards of the on going project.
“On a conclusive note we call on the Honorable Commissioner of Oil and Gas, Delta State, Hon. Emman Amgbaduba, the leadership of Opuama and Polobubo communities and all other relevant authorities to quickly swing into action now before the issue shift to another level that might be hard to quench meanwhile; peace in Niger delta is peace in Nigeria “. Comr. Ebolo Sam asserted.
