EPZ: Itsekiri Graduates caution Burutu communities over inflammatory remarks

The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG has cautioned the people of Sokobolu and Yokiri communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State over their threats to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from the Ground breaking Ceremony of the Export Processing zone, EPZ at Ogidigben, warning that such threats are capable of derailing the 16 billion dollars project and aborting the existing peace between Itsekiri and their Ijaw neighbours.

In a statement signed by NAIG President, Lucky Futughe ,the association decried the choice of “inciting words used in the report” and the “misleading information which wrongly accused the Itsekiri people of depriving Sokobolu and Yokiri communities of partaking in the EPZ”.

According to the Itsekiri Graduates Association, the threat of another possible round of crisis between the Itsekiri and Ijaw in Delta State as declared by the Youth President Sokobolu and Yokiri communities over the President’s well conceived EPZ Project at Ogidigben “is most unfortunate and reminds us of the dark ages of senseless inter tribal wars which can cause further insecurity distraction to President Goodluck Jonathan in his determination to tackle the yearnings of people of Niger Delta Coastal communities”.

The Itsekiri graduate body emphatically stated that the Ijaws should note that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is not a property of Ijaws, but one elected by a broad spectrum of Nigerians, including Itsekiris to successfully implement his people centred transformation agenda.

The statement also noted that Governor Uduaghan’s comment advising community leaders not to fight for crumbs when there are bigger fishes to fry regarding the EPZ is an evidence that the 16 billion dollars EPZ Project at Ogidigben will not just benefit host communities, but the entire Nation, hence the need to shun “frictional statements”.

NAIG also commended the Delta State government for the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Warri, Effurun and Udu, stating that apart from improving the sanitary condition of the cities and reducing the hitherto congested traffic in the area, the exercise will boost the tourism potentials of the state, especially Warri and its environs.

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