PIA: We are on the same page with NUPRC, not against the Olu of Warri - Ugborodo indigenes, stress

Indigenes of the Ugborodo Federated Communities, comprising mainly of Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho and Ijaghala in Warri South-West Local Government of Delta State, say they are on the same page with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, as far as the extant laws of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, as well as its implementation is concerned, insisting they are not against, “the Olu of Warri, the Palace, and / or the other Itsekiri communities.” 

Fresh Angle International can report that the community’s position was made known in a Public Statement Issued today, Saturday July 29, at a General Meeting Of Ugborodo Community held At Ode-Ugborodo, in Warri South-West Local Government Area.

 Video Clip of highlights of the meeting at Ode-Ugborodo;

A leader in Ugborodo, Alex Eyengho, who read the public statement on behalf of Ugborodo Federated Communities, noted that Ugborodo indigenes, unanimously reaffirmed their earlier chosen name of Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere HCDT) for the implementation of the PIA.

Eyengho, averred: “Ugborodo Community remains steadfast on the insistence that the extant laws of the PIA and the accompanying Regulations of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) must be followed religiously in the implementation of the PIA, particularly as it concerns the constitution of members of the Trustees, Management Committee and Advisory Committee.

“Ugborodo Community and the NUPRC are on the same page on the all-important issue of adherence to the relevant laws and regulations guiding the implementation of the PIA in all ramifications, and this much has been made known by the NUPRC to the settlors (Chevron, Shell and other international oil companies, IOCs) operating in Ugborodoland.

“The interventions of the Delta State Government in the lingering issue concerning the implementation of the PIA in Ugborodo Community, have been only to the extent of advocating for peace in the area and further advising the Ugborodo Community to settle her internal problems.

“Ugborodo Community maintains her earlier position already in the public domain that it is not in any way whatsoever going against the Olu of Warri, the Palace, and / or the other Itsekiri communities. 

“All the Ugborodo Community has said and still maintain until tomorrow, is that the extant laws must be followed religiously in the implementation of the PIA, particularly in Ugborodo land. As host community, Ugborodo Community is big enough to have her own separate HCDT, without prejudice to other host communities in Itsekiri land who may want to be lumped together under one HCDT. To this end, and for the purposes of emphasis, the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT), has since been adopted by the good people of Ugborodo Community. This is our irreducible position on the issue of the implementation of PIA in Ugborodo Community.

From Left- Mr. Isaac Botosan; Mr. Alex Eyengho; Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli & Chief (Dr.) Thomas Ereyitomi

“We are using this opportunity to give Chevron, Shell, and other setlors operating in Ugborodo Community, and the NUPRC a period of 30 days ultimatum from today, July 29, 2023, within which to follow the extant laws and regulations of the PIA by giving to Ugborodo Community the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT), in the overall interest of peace, enabling environment, equity, justice and fair play. After the expiration of this ultimatum, Ugborodo Community shall take her destiny in her hands but within the ambit of the law. A stitch in time saves nine.”

The member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and prominent indigene of Ugborodo Federated Communities, Chief (Dr.) Thomas Ereyitomi, who spoke during the general meeting convened by the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, Eghare Daniel Uwawah, emphasized that Ugborodo people are not against the King (The Olu of Warri) hence, “nobody should use politics of kingship to affect PIA, PIA is a law.”

The federal lawmaker, added: “All Tank Farms have their PIAs. The Trust would be briefing the king, it is about the kingdom moving on a progressive path. Stakeholders, Community representatives, Chevron Nigeria Limited and government, will look at the needs assessment. IRDC (Itsekiri Regional Development Committee) wasn’t a law, it was Chevron Nigeria Limited’s policy.

The Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere) will replace Ugborodo Community Trust. The Eghare-Aja has consulted widely, PIA is a law. We won’t say because of Igbene (internal dispute) we won’t inaugurate the trust (Ikpere Host Community Development Trust). We will settle the Igbene. You should back the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust, later we will fix Igbene. The law, says 3% of the operational cost, is for the host communities.”

Prominent politician and renowned Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayirimi Emami, while addressing the large gathering of Ugborodo indigenes, averred that whatever Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC claimed to have done as regards the PIA, has nothing to do with Ugborodo.

According to Chief Emami, the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, is a law and “not palace issue”, stressing that Ugborodo indigenes, remain resolute on what they told the Delta state government, regarding the independence of Ugborodo, in-line with the relevant provisions of PIA.

“Omadino, Dibi and Olero Fields, can stand on their own, Ugborodo is not part of any other arrangements in the PIA. During Chevron's GMoU era, the other cluster host communities, kept saying Ugborodo has no oil (Crude Oil) so we want to be independent in-line with the PIA. Delta state government, told us not to fight, we won't fight, but we will adhere strictly to the provisions of PIA”, Chief Emami, who spoke in Itsekiri Language, explicitly stated.

Our Principal Correspondent, who was at Ugborodo, reports that a former Executive Director of Projects in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, Mr. Andrew Igban, the National Youth Chairman of Ugborodo Community; Winson Ejeh as well as the Ugborodo community woman leader identified simply as Oritsematosan, were among renowned indigenes of Ugborodo, that addressed the large gathering in the presence of Eghare Daniel Uwawah.

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