4. Suffice it to say that series of meetings held, which is aimed at ending lasting solution to challenges of underdevelopment of our region particularly in Ugborodoland, have all fallen on deaf ears. It is pertinent to note that key Federal Government projects in Ugborodoland like the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) Ogidigben by NNPC, the Nigerian Navy Command Escravos Ship and the Nigeria Air Force Base, till date have all been abandoned after the lands were donated by Ugborodo Community and preliminary work done and indeed perimeter fencing executed on that of Navy and Air Force. This was why we had our hope rekindled at the level of the Niger Delta Peace Advocacy Committee headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Some of these issues were raised, with the GRIP being at the front burner. Indeed, the Itsekiri nation again received assurances from your administration through Prof. Osinbajo, that the abandoned “Escravos Environs' Power Supply Project” and other key socio-economic projects in the Warri South-West Local Government Area listed above, will be re-visited with a view to commencing work on them but, till this moment, practically nothing has been done to give us a glimmer of hope.
Your Excellency, as you read this open letter, the entire Ugborodo Community is on the verge of being washed away by rampaging ocean surge. In fact, we have already lost large percentage of housing infrastructure, jetties, arable farm crops, fishing camps and land to ocean surge, and with the rains already here, side by side the unpredictable climate change in the form of huge storms, we are increasingly consumed by apparent fear. The shore protection project for Ugborodo Community awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) about three years ago to the following contracting firms (for Lot 1 to 9): Trisac Limited, Foxtonville, Paresa Ltd., Heriton Trade Ltd., Nigitrade Ltd., R & T Ltd., Frot Ltd., Ricardo Ltd., and West Chivas Limited, which came as a respite to us, have been abandoned because the contractors told us that NDDC has not met the contractual obligation.
5. Mr. President, it may interest you to know that Chevron Nigeria Limited connived with some individuals to stop the scholarship funds meant for students. For over four years now, there have been no development whatsoever from Chevron in terms of capital projects or human capital development.
Similarly, the water project promised the Ugborodo Community by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) about two years ago after days of protests by Ugborodo people and the intervention of our highly revered monarch, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri, has not been embarked upon by Shell, a oil and gas multinational doing business on our land.
Your Excellency, arising from the above, we humbly and graciously plead with you to:
A. Direct NNPC and the Ministry of Trade and Industries to commence the Gas Revolution Industrial
Park (GRIP), Ogidigben.
B. Direct NDDC to release funds for the contractors handling the Ugborodo Community Shore Protection Project to immediately return to site, to prevent Ugborodoland from further washing away.
C. Direct the Niger Delta Ministry or the NDDC to immediately commence clearing and sand ?lling work in Ode-Ugborodo, the headquarters of Ugborodo Community.
D. Instruct NNPC and the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to recommence work on the Escravos and Environs' Power Supply Project.
E. Call on SPDC to embark on the Water Project it promised Ugborodo Community about two years ago.
F. Implore the International Oil Companies (IOCs), NNPC, NDDC, other MDAs and contractors doing business in Ugborodo to adhere strictly to the Local Content Act.
G. Direct Ministry of Defense to embark on the infrastructural work and full commencement of operation of the Nigeria Navy Base and Nigeria Air Force Base, both in Escravos.H. Direct Chevron to release funds earmarked for the educational scholarship of students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, and to equally embark on capital projects and human capital development in Ugborodo Community. Particularly, there should be electricity supply to Ugborodo Community directly from Chevron Tank Farm in Escravos, and not the current generating set system, which no longer have enough capacity to power the community effectively.
Your Excellency, if these burning issues are not addressed as soon as possible, we cannot guarantee what may happen next on the part of the masses whose patience and peaceful dispositions over the years have manifestly been overstretched.
Thanking you in anticipation of your understanding and cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
For Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body:
Mr. Samuel Ukponu
(Chairman)
Mr. Godfrey Ojogor Oduduwa
(Vice Chairman)
Mr. Dennis A. Egbayinor
(Secretary)
Mr. David Mamah
(P.R.O)
Mr. Wilson Ejeh
(Leader)
Cc:
• The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa
• The National Security Adviser (NS A)
• The Chief of Army of Staff
• The Chief of Naval Staff
• The Director of DSS
• The Inspector General of Police (IGP)
• The Board/Management of NNPC
• The Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited
• The Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company
• The Management of NDDC
• The Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area.