Otuaro Appeals To Aggrieved Protesting Ugborodo Community To Remain Calm

In its determined efforts to maintain peace across all the oil-bearing communities in the state, the government of Delta State has intervened in the dispute between Ugborodo community and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

The State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingley Otuaro who amongst top government functionaries and politicians that visited Warri South West Local Government Area, appealed to the people of the Ugborodo to sheath their sword, remain calm and wait for government intervention in the ongoing dispute.

The deputy governor appealed for calm from the aggrieved protesters of Ugborodo community at Escravos, over the alleged neglect by Chevron Nigeria Limited of the community which according to the protesting community includes (not keeping to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed upon by both parties earlier on.

“Parts of their grievances too are neglect on employment of their teeming graduates, neglect of the area which has brought a hurt to the aquatic lives in the environment.”

According to him, “The welfare of the citizens is paramount to the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, hence, the Governor asked me to appeal to you.”

He appealed further to the people, saying, “Give government time to dialogue between the oil companies and host communities in arriving at a favourable conclusion that would be of mutual benefit to parties involved for meaningful development in our dear state.”

The Hon. Member, representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi and the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami who were also in the meeting, appealed to the protesters to maintain calm by remaining peaceful in the community, assuring them that the issues would be addressed shortly.

The aggrieved persons thronged the venue in their large numbers chanting songs of desperation with placards bearing different inscriptions, including the failure of Chevron Nigeria Limited to meet up with MoU entered into with the community.

After listening carefully to the deputy governor and others who also spoke, the protesters dropped their placards with the assurance that they would abide by government’s decision for peace to thrive in the state.