​Unbridled Marginalization: Gen Ogbegbe Writes Buhari, Diri, Agbedi, Pondi On Sterling Global Inimical Activities In Agge 

Says Agge, other Kou Delta communities are washing away 

By Binebai Princewill

Former Niger Delta warlord, self styled Gen. Ogbegbe, popularly known as the Dragon of Niger Delta has written to president Muhammadu Buhari on the unbridled level of suffering and marginalization meted out on the people of Agge community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State by Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company, SEEPCo, Nigeria Limited.

The repented warlord had also drew the attention of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and his counterpart in Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on the plight of Agge and Kou Delta communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. 

Gen. Ogbegbe noted that as lawmakers representing the areas in the House of Representatives, the duo of Hon. Frederick Y. Agbedi, member representing Sagbama /Ekeremor Federal Constituency, House of Representatives and Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives should be aware of the life threatening activities of the company in their domains. 

The former warlord made his position known to newsmen in Yenagoa via a statement he personally signed and circulated, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspaper. 

Ogbegbe asserted that Sterling Oil Exploration Company is dredging the Agge river known as River Ramos without statutory approval and agreement with the host communities, stressing that instead of using the sands to sandfield Agge and other Kou Delta Communities to prevent them from eroding away, the company would rather pump such sands into the sea, a situation Ogbegbe described as worrisome and wicked. 

Speaking further, the Niger Delta dragon stressed that the constant movement of Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company owned ships and other boats that usually bring about gigantic tidal waves had contributed to the rapid washing away of Agge federated community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and other Kou Delta Communities in Delta State, fuming that something has to be done quickly to address such issues. 

However, the statement maintained that the people of Agge and other sub host communities to Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company in Kou kingdom is suffering miserably in the hands of the company as there seem to be no tangible benefits coming to the communities by hosting Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company over the years.  

He said there is no employment for the youths despite their academic qualifications as well as there is really nothing to celebrate about since the company came to operate in the area as the company allegedly uses the military to intimidate Agge and her people whenever they make any demand.

The statement continued that even the river that use to be economically viable for the fishermen and women is no longer viable as Sterling Global Oil Exploration Company had come to spoil everything for them, thereby increasing their level of suffering without any commensurate benefit. 

Nevertheless, Gen. Ogbegbe had stated that since Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company, SEEPCo, Nigeria Limited is not making any positive impact on the lives of the people over the years, they should peacefully leave their environment as they do not want any touble with them any longer, stressing that Agge and other Kou Delta Communities are peace lovers. 

In his words: “Agge is washing away, there is a dredging of sands from the bar of Agge to the sea. Wasting sands there instead of using it to sandfield Agge and other Kou Delta Communities, youths are not enjoying Sterling Global At all, If they are tired they should leave Agge alone. Delta and Bayelsa Governors should intervene on this matter, people can’t fish any longer, they use military to intimidate people. The people are suffering. They should leave our terrain peacefully. Since Sterling Global refuse to help the people, they should leave us alone” 

Meanwhile, Ogbegbe had reiterated his call on President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Douye Diri, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Hon. Julius Pondi and other critical stakeholders in the area to look into the earlier raised issues before it goes out of hand.