Agitations for oil blocs by Itsekiri, Ijaw is justifiable- Delta Commissioner, Pirah

Delta State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Omamofe Pirah, says the agitation for Marginal Oil Fields by the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Movement for the Development of Itsekiri Oil/Gas Producing Communities, MDIOGPC and the Federated Omadino Communities, is justifiable and should be backed by The Olu-in-Council of Warri Kingdom as done by PANDEF.

Hon. Pirah, who made the assertion in telephone interview Thursday July 16, stated that nobody should give political colouration to the agitation for Marginal Oil Fields, issues of shore protection, land reclamation and urgent infrastructural development of the oil and gas producing coastal communities, as accentuated by the Itsekiris and Ijaws, “because both tribes have suffered the brunt/hazards of crude oil and gas exploitation in their lands for the past 50 years.”

While also alluding to the argument for decentralization of electricity generation, distribution and supply to regional or state governments, the Commissioner, recommended a workable template that would see the state government championing the agitation for the ownership of oil blocs by the Ijaws and Itsekiris.

On the crises in Ologbo, Kolokolo and other neighbouring Itsekiri communities in Edo State, Hon. Pirah, a former Chairman of Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, called on The Olu-in-Council in collaboration with the Warri Traditional Council to workout amicable solution, that would pacify all interests with a view to moving the Itsekiri Nation to its rightful pride of place among other ethnic nationalities.

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