PIA: Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo declines invitation from Olu Palace, Warri

The controversy brewing in Warri Kingdom, over the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, took a new twist weekend, as the Eghare-Aja (Traditional Head and Chairman of Council of Elders) of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Eghare Daniel O. Uwawah, declined an invite to attend a meeting at the Olu Palace, Warri.

A letter purportedly from the Olu Palace, Warri, which was sighted on a social media platform, this morning, Monday July 24, invited Eghare Daniel O. Uwawah, to the meeting, “where critical issues concerning the development of your community (Ugborodo) will be discussed.”

The letter dated July 20, 2023 and credited to the Director – Palace Administration, Olu of Warri Palace, Chief Clement A Maleghemi, noted inter-alia: “I am directed by His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, The Olu of Warri to invite you and two (2) other persons from your community, to a meeting where critical issues concerning the development of your community will be discussed on

“Date: Saturday, 22 July, 2013

“Time: 2:00pm

“Venue: Conference Hall, Olu of Warri Palace (Aghofen) Warri

“Your cooperation in this regard is highly solicited, please.”

In his response in a letter dated Saturday July 22, 2023, Eghare Daniel O. Uwawah, stated: “RE: LETTER OF INVITATION"

“I am in receipt of your letter with the above heading, inviting me to a meeting in the Olu Palace, at the instance of the Olu of Warri, Saturday, July 22nd 2023, which according to you is to discuss critical issues concerning the development of Ugborodo Community, I hereby respond as follows

“1. Issues concerning the development of Ugborodo Community are better discussed in Ugborodo Community

“2. The outstanding lingering issue concerning the implementation of the PIA in Ugborodo Community, the role of the Olu in the matter, and the ongoing intervention of the relevant federal agency and the Delta State Government, is also an impediment to me honouring the invitation.

“3. Finally, let me put it on record that I occupy the ancient and pristine Eghare-Aja stool of Ugborodoland. It is most inappropriate for me to be invited to a meeting with 24 hours notice.  If I am not respected, my stool, which is an institution, should at least be respected. At the very least, it is expected that at least two Chiefs from Aghofen should have come to Ode-Ugborodo to deliver this sort of letter to me.

“Thanking you in anticipation of your understanding, please”.

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