OML 42: Odidi Elders Council Writes Buhari, Okowa, Oil Companies On Authentic Community Executives
…Wants rapid development from Government, oil companies
By Binebai Princewill
The highest decision making organ of oil rich Odidi Federated Community in OML 42, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has notified President Muhammadu Buhari, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State and all Oil Companies operating in the area on the authentic executives to deal with.
The notification was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Warri yesterday via a statement, signed by Chief (Dr) S. Y. Mamamu UNPA, President Odidi Federated Community Elders Council, National Leader of OML 42 Host Communties, on behalf of all sons and daughters of Odidi Federated Community, a copy of which was made available to The Liberator Newspapers.
The statement had particularly called on the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, Security agencies, Oil companies operating in the area as well as members of the general public to deal with the Chief Johnny Aribogha led Odidi Federated Community Exco, stressing that such is the duely elected and inaugurated exco by the supreme organ of the community which is the Elders Council.
The statement reads in full below
Press Statement Presented By Chief (Dr) S.Y Mamamu UNPA Notifying The Public Of New Executives In Odidi Federated Community OML 42, Warri South West, Delta State
His Excellency,
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)
President of our Great Country Nigeria
Commander in Chief of Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sir,
Mr. President, our country Nigeria is a large country which is given to us by the almighty God, we are blessed with different natural resources, our Odidi Federated Community is rich with different Mineral Resources (hydrocarbon).
I wish to inform you and the general public as the president of the Elders Council of my Community that the tenure of the community Executives expired on the 24th day of November, 2020.
Consequently, the Elders Council as led by me whose responsibility is to put in place a New Executive Council based on nominations submitted by different quarters in the community, then constituted an executive council led by Chief Johnny Aribogha after the former Excos was announced dissolved in a general meeting attended by the entire members of the community on the 24th of November 2020.
On this note, we want to inform the Federal, State, Local Government, the general public and all companies operating in Odidi Field to be notified.
However, we wish to inform you that there are some youths in the community led by one Mr. Preye Okirikpa who has been sponsored by unknown persons or group of people to disturb the peace of the community.
Odidi Federated Community is calling on His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, His Deputy, Barr (Dcn) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Inspector General of Police, EFCC, DSS, ICPC. The commissioner of police, Delta State and other government security agencies to investigate this group of people disturbing the peace existing in our community so it will not cause communal crisis in Odidi Federated Community.
We therefore urge the general public to work with the new executives we have put in place. We also use this medium to inform all companies operating in Odidi community to be aware of this development. As we pray for everlasting peace to return to our community.
Signed
Chief (Dr) S. Y. Mamamu UNPA
President Odidi Federated Community
Elders Council,
National Leader of OML 42 Host Communties.
Meanwhile, in an interview with journalist shortly after the press briefing, Chief Johnny Aribogha noted that Odidi has been an oil producing community for ages, regretted that till date, there had been no appreciable form of development in the community.
Aribogha maintained that Government at all levels in Nigeria have failed the people of Odidi woefully, adding that the oil companies have not also helped matters as well.
However, he had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the 13% derivation funds be paid directly to the oil bearing communities for proper development of the said communities.
Present during the press briefing include Chief (Dr) S. Y Mamamu, Engr. M. James, Elder Gilbert Deribi, Chief Johnny Aribogha, Chairman Odidi Federated Community, Bene Mamamu, Secretary, Hon. Friday Deinghan, Assistant Financial Secretary, Mr. Jerry Igbegbe, Mr. Tamaraebi Derebi, Mr. Andrew Atinu and Mr. Godwin Akori, PRO, Odidi Federated Community.
