…As Community Laments Military Invasion, Incessant Arrest
Delta State Government has called on traditional rulers and members of host communities to oil installations to partner with government in its quest to end vandalization of pipeline and related crimes in the Niger Delta, saying that the renewed hostilities in the region is taking tolls on the already threatened Nigerian economy occasioned by short fall of crude oil at the international market.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro made the call when he led members of the Delta State Advocacy Committee set up by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to tackle pipeline vandalization, took the advocacy to Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area.
Speaking at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Barrister Otuaro, said they were in the kingdom to seek for cooperation, support and partnership of the people towards finding permanent solution to issues relating to pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities targeted at oil installations in the region.
“We have a marching order from the Governor to leave the comfort of our offices and relocate to the creeks to engage communities. Your Majesty, as the custodian of the culture and tradition of your people, it was proper to visit you to seek for support, partnership and cooperation to partner with government to ensure that the menace is put to an end. The country is already in economic mess; first, because of the drop in crude oil price and secondly, because of destruction of oil facilities in the region.”
While lamenting the negative effect of the needless destruction of oil installation in the Niger Delta region, the Deputy Governor said, government at all levels may not be able to meet its budgetary provisions if the spate of attack is addressed with the desired attention from all stakeholders. “As it stand now, the 2.2 million barrel per day target of the Federal Government budget projection is already threatened by the activities of vandals.”
Barrister Otuaro who called for useful suggestions and openness in their discussions towards finding a lasting solution to the menace, assured the people that the committee will engage both the state and federal government at the end of their visit and lay bar their finding towards resolving the problem.
In his response, His Royal Majesty, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, assured government of his kingdom readiness to partner with it towards finding permanent solution to the problem, as it was already giving them bad name before the outside world.
The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom who spoke through Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Acting Secretary, Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs, decried the renewed attacks on oil installations, particularly in his kingdom.
“Gbaramatu people are not happy with what is happening. We are ready to partner with government to any level. We are ready to do everything possible to ensure it ends. We are not happy because the people attacking oil facilities are affecting our economic lives.”
“Your Excellency, we want to bring to your notice the harassment of our people by the military. Imagine a military troop led by a Colonel standing behind this palace close to 30 minutes. When the Monarch called them, they said there were not for discussions. They left for Kokodiagbene and arrested five persons working in Chevron. They took them to Koko and as we speak now they are in Bayelsa.”
“So we are not happy. Let them not use this opportunity to attack our community again. As the Niger Delta Avengers said, the group cut across the entire South-South region. Why are they after Gbaramatu people? We want you to tell government to release the five persons arrested, they are Chevron Staff and not members of Avengers. Please government should intervene and secure their release.”
