Niger Delta Marginalisation: Egbema Kingdom Gives FG 14-Day Ultimatum

By Wilson Macaulay

The Egbema Communities Peace Development and Humanitarian Rights Association of the People of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA , Delta State and Ovia South West LGA of Edo State due to the perennial marginalisation of the Niger Delta region, have issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Oil Companies operating in the region to address what they called vital, boiling and burning issues of neglect in Egbema Kingdom in particular and the Niger Delta in general.

Comrade Mike JK Tiemo, President, Egbema Communities Group who addressed a press conference in Warri, Delta State, stated in their demand that
the FG should allocate three oil blocs (Marginal Fields) to indigenes/contractors, the immediate stoppage of the ongoing bidding process of 57 Marginal Field, the construction of Udo-Ofunama road and a bridge connecting Ogbudugbudu town in Warri North of Delta state.

Comrade Mike Tiemo in the media statement asserted that the demand for the canalization of Polobubo, Tsekelewu and Opuama Communities in Oloduwa creek to Otugbo Community junction off Benin River in Warri North in Delta State is one of the major challenges facing the Egbema Kingdom that must be done.

Speaking further, Comrade Mike Tiemo, said: “We the Egbema people are demanding for the construction of a coastal road from Ogbudugbudu to Opuama, Tsekelewu and polobubo towns in Warri North in Delta to Agadagba -ama /Obon in Arogbo of Ondo State, the establishment of Community based modular refineries without delay, the immediate approval for the creation of two state constituencies in Delta and Edo States for political justice, fairness and absolute well being of the Egbema people.

Comrade Mike Tiemo who reeled out more demands said: “Let me also make it clear that we are demanding for the immediate relocation of the operational headquarters of the International Oil Companies to the Niger Delta as directed by the Vice President during his visit to the region in the capacity of acting President; we demand for the establishment of Customary and Magistrate Courts in Opuama and Tsekelewu, Reclamation of Opuama, Tsekelewu and Polobubo Communities.

He said: “The NPDC and other Associate Operators in Oloduwa Communities, Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Delta State, should be directed by President Buhari and other relevant stakeholders to address the issue of non compliance in respect of the companies’ responsibilities and obligations, the non existence of no established working instrument, no community developmental project executed since the commencement of OML 40 Opuama flowstation since 2012 – till date which is not in sync with the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, specifically sections 25, 26 ,27 , 28 (s).

Bishop Godwin S. Pinawei, the Vice President who added his voice declared that the Egbema people urgently demand for the
establishment of gas turbines for all communities in the kingdom and the establishment of Federal Niger Delta Polytechnic in Ofunama town in Ovia South West LGA of Edo State.

Comrade Samson Oroupa , Secretary, Mr Tuesday Mumbor, Assistant Treasurer, Comrade Prosper July Egboor, Assistant Financial Secretary who also made their various contributions posited that the oil majors and their allied companies in Egbema Kingdom should be directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to observe the regulatory policies so that they can do the needfull and right thing to change the narrative of the oppressed people of Egbema Kingdom.

They demanded that there must be an established working instrument to ensure community development projects in Opuama and other places that lacks a working collective agreements in line with the Local Content Act, while accusing NPDC, the Operators of OML 40 for not executing any community development project in Oloduwa Communities.

The kingdom warned that the ultimatum became paramount and imperative due to the long years of neglect of the Egbema people in particular and the Niger Delta in general.

They concurred in their assertions that if the government fails to respond affirmatively , they will explore every legal means possible to actualize their demands, the statement concluded .