Peace returns to oil rich Ugborodo Community

Tears of joy flowed freely Saturday November 14 at the Ode-Ugborodo Town Hall of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State when brothers formerly torn apart by internal feud gathered for a final reconciliation meeting facilitated by Pa. J.O.S Ayomike in company of the only two recognised leaders of the town, Olaja-Orori Benson Omadeli and Eghare-Aja, Pa. Wellington Ojoghor.

The over 5-years old internal strife that have factionalized the oil-rich community was brought to an end following the persistent and steadfast commitment to peace by some concerned indigenes who ensured that Pa. Ayomike intervened to stop the underdevelopment wrath on the community by the factional groups jostling for the control of the resources accruing to the community which play host to the multi-billion naira Chevron Tank farm and EPZ projects.

Pa. Ayomike who listed the disadvantage brought about by the feuding parties called for unity amongst them so that they can with one voice fight for and demand their legitimate rights from the companies operating in their area, stating that Chevron and other companies operating at Ugborodo are owing the community good money running into several millions of naira.

He expressed Governor Okowas’ joy to the people for having the EPZ project sited in their community, saying that when fully operational, generations of Ugborodo indigenes yet unborn stands to benefit from the EPZ project as well as other Nigerians at large, noting that with the peace achieved, he can proudly say he played a worthy role and called on the people to always put their best candidates forward for every appointment instead fielding drop outs and misfits.

Pa. Ayomike who traced the origin of the Ugborodo crisis to too much money and the greed by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL in luring some community youths into signing a GMOU rejected in 2001 by the leaders and Elders of the community revealed that Chevron is owing Ugborodo several millions of naira since they acquired the over 640acres of land from them in 1965 through payment of a mere stipend that the community is set to renegotiate at today value when their leasehold expires in 15years time.

The Octogenarian who at the meeting suspended the two community Trust instrument being used to run the community by the two factional leaders also stated that Itsekiri sons representing them at both the State House of Assembly and the Federal House of Representatives are not doing enough and sometimes are part of the problems besetting the Itsekiri nation as they allegedly collude with contractors to defraud and even abandon well meaning project that should benefit the people.

He cited the Koko and Escravos Shore protection projects and the Ogidigben Grammar school project, saying that without even working up to 10% job completion of some of these projects, 98% of the project fund have be drawn and squandered.

Ugborodo Community Leader, Mr. Isaac Botosan told newsmen that the reconciliation meeting and gathering is the greatest thing that has happened to the community in recent years and there is now peaceful and harmonious co-existence amongst them, even as he thanked Pa. Ayomike for the peace initiative, saying that God should bless him with strength and long life.

Isaac Botosan said all parties to the dispute agreed to the settlement without attaching any impediment as even some self exiled indigene have since returned to Ugborodo.

The Chairman of the EPZ Interface Committee who provided logistics support for hosting the reconciliation meeting, Barr. Austin Oborogbeyi charged the elders and youth to sustain the new found unity, saying that with unity the community would witness rapid physical and infrastructural development as never before.

Among important personalities that witnessed the reconciliation meeting were former factional leaders like Hon. David Tonwe, Dr. Ayo Ayomike, Mr. Isaac Botosan who all agreed that there is need for peace and unity in the once troubled community. Others are Mr. J.Ayomike, Prof. Omatete, Woman Leader, Mrs. Mercy Olowu, Emmanuel Tenumah, Monday Oritsedumi and Mr. Moses Edijala.

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