Warri: Caution Chief Besigiwa against actions capable of causing violence in Conoil host communities – Yomere begs Governor Oborevwori, Olu of Warri

The Chairman of OML 150 Stakeholders’ Forum, Chief Priest Roland Yomere, has appealed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and security agencies, to caution Chief Billy Besigiwa, against actions capable of causing violence in Conoil host communities in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Chief Priest Roland Yomere, who made the appeal in Warri, Delta State, Wednesday June 19, while addressing newsmen, accused Chief Billy Besigiwa and his cohorts, of disrupting activities in the creeks, by unilaterally dealing with Conoil Producing Limited, against the forum set up by the seven host communities; Omadino, Obodo, Ifiekporo, Ajosolo, Jaluwa, Uwakeno and Ewoekwera.

According to Chief Priest Yomere, Chief Besigiwa, from Ajosolo Community, was appointed by the transited Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli as the Palace Representative in the OML 150 Stakeholders’ Forum and the appointment was adopted by Ogiame Atuwase III, “but Chief Besigiwa, sponsored by a Senior Chief in the Palace, who is a Consultant to Conoil Producing Limited, is disrupting activities in the creek.”

He added: “In the first place, he included some communities, which are not part of the seven communities, as members of the forum. Secondly, we have two contractual companies, who were to handle minor projects in the creeks, but Chief Billy Besigiwa and his cohorts, went to disrupt their activities, saying they should deal with him (Chief Besigiwa) directly and not the Forum.

“The activities of Chief Besigiwa, have generated tension in the creeks. As the Chairman of the Forum, I have reached out to the communities involved, and they resolved that His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase III, should call the Senior Chief to order and tell Chief Billy Besigiwa to sheathe his sword. We demand peace in the creeks.”  

Yomere, assured the people of Ajosolo that there was no land tussle between them and the other communities, saying, "we are aware that the flow station is in Ajosolo, but other communities have oil wells. We have a good arrangement where if there is an oil company in your land, you get 40 percent, while other communities will get 60 percent.

“We also call on Tantita Security Services, to intervene as Chief Billy Besigiwa is employing their personnel to pursue our people from the creeks in the name of illegal bunkering.”

Chief Priest Roland, advised Conoil Producing Limited, to set up community-based surveillance system, comprising youths from the seven host communities, to protect its facilities.

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