By Chinedu Amede
Indigenes of Ogbeani Community of Utagba Ogbe Kingdom , Kwale headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State have appealled to the Federal and Delta State governments to swiftly intervene on the continued negligence and fragrant dissobidence to the Memorandum Of Understanding. (M O.U) they signed with Sterling Exploration And Energy Production Company and it’s partner Ashthavina Yak Hydro Carbon Limited since Nineteen years ago. Their appeal was contained in their protest statements to media men while on peaceful protest at the premises of the companies in Kwale.
According to the statements, through one Chief Ukadike Enumah on behalf of other indigenes, the companies acquired their vast area of lands in 2017 for exploration operations whereupon a Memorandum Of Understanding (M.O.U.) was signed between Community and the companies. Managements which they allegedly failed to honour uptill date, The indigenes claimed to be agrarians whose main source of livelihood is farming, pointing out that their farm lands and fish ponds were no longer fertile and productive
While alleging that their farm lands were grabbed without alternative means of livelihood for them, the Ogbeani indigenes added that several reminder letters and visits had been sent and made to the companies on the need for renewal and implimentation of the existing MOU as it has expired without any action, which all fell on deaf ears.They fumed with anger, stating that the companies were taking their peaceful disposition for granted, threatening to adopt violent approach if their demands were not attended to as soon as possible.
In other statements, the protestes promised to remain peaceful and law abiding and requested the Federal and Delta State governments to prevail upon the companies Managements to act fast and imppliment all contents of the M.O.U., failure of which would amount to pushing them to the wall, a situation they said that may lead to chaos and anarchy. Answering other questions on their demands, the protesters listed sustainable employment slots, award of projects and suply contracts, construction of 1.5km road, renovation of their Heth Centre, Skills Training Programmes for their youths and women, and welfare package for their elderly indigenes among many others.
It could be recalled that the Ogbeani indigenes including elders, Chiefs Women and Youths staged a peaceful protest at the gate of the companies, barricading all enterances leading into the company while demanding to see the top management personnel who did not show up at the time of filing this report.
Though the protest was peaceful as there was presence of armed security men but the indigenes turned out largely with placades bearing “President Tinubu, Gov. Oborevwori please come for our rescue” *Don’t take our Peaceful disposition for granted” “Don’t let us exhurst our patience, endurance, and tolerance on your negligable attitude”” ” Our farm lands and fish ponds are nolonger frrtile and productive” “Give us our rightful benefits as your host community” “We are peaceful and law abiding citizens of Ferderal Republic of Nigeria” “Provide employment and contracts award opportunities for our indigenes” “Renew and impliment the existing M.O.U. because it has expired” and “We do not have any of our indigenes as your staff” among many others.
Among others who spoke to journalists included Chief Bar. Ken. Onwuka , Chief Daniel Ogwu, Chief Sunday Nwose, Comrd. Anthony Osele, Chief Monday Odachi and Mrs Esther Akpati.who expressed bitter grievances against the gross marginalization ,denial and total abandonement of the MOU by the companies managements. All efforts to reach any of the management personnel for comments failed as no one was on ground to speak to the media men.
