Orogho Does Not Own The Land Occupied By PRESCO –Edevbie

Edevbie O. Emmanuel, Speaker to Iwevbo Elders’ Council Representative, acting on a dual capacity in Obanakorho/Iwevbo communities, who was sometimes ago Enogie Rep. to Iwevbo for years and later graciously appointed by same Enogie to represent his interest to the “good and bad people’ of Obanakorh Community, has frowned against the actions of Orogho community.

In his reaction to BeeTv and other media broadcast of 19th March, 2024 where Orogho Community “erroneously laid claims” to the 14200 hectares of land where Presco PLC is doing their business, said that it is an error if left uncorrected “can lead to perpetual immorality and if not properly corrected it will later be accepted as norms of the people with pains and regret,” adding that “this correction becomes very pertinent and paramount importance and not to allow an impacted community to Newcross and PRESCO from misleading the general public.”

He said while speaking to Oasis Magazine exclusively on Saturday: “I grew up in this area purportedly claiming by this sister community. and there was never a time Orogho person was seen parading as task force officer and collecting money as a landlord from his tenants or having a reversionary right over the remaining 5 communities. I am now above 40 years of age, and history has not revealed such records and not even while in active service for the Enogie, Engr Patrick Akenzua, recorded with humility and dedication to constituted authority, I have never come across any declaration or acclamation connotes pieces of information that Orogho owns a piece of land in my two Communities.

“I have the locus and jurisdiction to speak facts that are incontrovertible about these happenings, we initially thought it was just oversight of some overzealous boys from Orogho Community an impacted Community to Newcross Petroleum Limited and to Presco PLC but from the broadcast of the elders of Orogho now made it very clear that Orogho is out to take over our God giving gift.

“The costal communities are peace loving and abiding citizens of Edo state in Oriohwo local government Area of Nigeria and they are shocked with this misnomer attitude of their sister Community(Orogho) the publication made by Orogho people claiming to be sole owners of the land occupied by PRESCO Plc is just to mislead the general public and gain mere attention from people who are naive over this matter, justify the reasons taking or using the palace of Enogie situated and cited in Orogho Community.”

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According to him, the coastal communities are waiting for the reaction of the Enogie, saying representatives of each community have unanimously debunked the frivolous claim by Orogho Community, while the general public should be on watch over this saga.

He continued: “To set the records straight, that area comprises these communities- which are Obanakhro, Ugbegu, ikegbe, Obagie and Ivewbo Communities. The five communities are the principal hosts to Presco while Orogho Community is a privileged impacted Community.”

Continuing, he said: “In my own curious thinking position that “probably the people who acted this erroneous information forget in a hurry the meaning of Dukedom they have been using to marginalize other communities claiming to be more populated than others.”

His words: “A dukedom means a compound of more communities coming together under one Duke, It is also very obvious now that those who went on air to make such annoying and provocative broadcast are acting in tandem with the entire Orogho people haven seen the public broadcast of their elders, but they undermined the meaning of a community.”

“They also said in the meeting that they had walked out in Presco that there is no Dukedom. If there is no dukedom, then, the association of the communities since 2009 now assumes the status of sham and a formulated association whose hidden agenda was to grab what belongs to other communities under the disguise of Dukedom.

“The coastal communities are not in contention with the existing monarchical power of the Oba of Benin and the Enogie, Engr Patrick Akenzua

“The people of Orogho should be advised timely by the constituted authority to stop beating the drum of war, despite the misinterpretation and lack of full understanding of the concept -Environmental impact assessment.

“Claiming overlord on the other five communities is barbaric and a mission dead on arrival, as no civilized individual will allow his fellow mate mat his wife under his watch.

“That Orogho did not conquer any place owned by these communities and over centuries, there is no boundaries dispute involving Orogho Community, because they only have boundary with Oronugbe Forest Reserve in custody of Obanakorho, Obagie Nunuame and Ologbo nugu Community. So, we are wondering how they came up with this frivolous demand, unethical and unmerited rascal to dent the reputation of PRESCO.

“This their action is a usurpation of the old and existing order of the Enogie that put other autonomous communities together, not that in totality all communities are comfortable with this union as the philosophy behind the togetherness is long abuse by same Orogho people with the act of eating alone the proceed of Seplat oil development company and Dophy vegetables company.

“Maltreatment and segregation by the people of Orogho is borne out of greedy just like someone eyeing another owner pot of soup decitly under the disguise of Dukedom, but the facade act to be the overlord of other communities is now reveal through this broadcast and with no other mission than to render the Enogie, Engr. Patrick Akinzua powerless, I also see this as an attempt to breech the peace of the general public, If they are not then it is possible that black and the greedy satan have decided to make mockery of them.”

He said further: “There is nothing to be bothered or afraid of by any civilized citizen as there are plethora evidence from ancient epoch to face them in competent court of jurisdiction and I so much insist that if they understand the word civilization, the best way or process to ascertain ones right is to approach the Court.

“What PRESCO did was to maintain the standard and international best practice. PRESCO has their records and documents to speak for them.

“EIA is one of the requirements of setting up any project and it is a known fact that PRESCO plc always follows due process provided by RSPO, the principal host communities will not allow Orogho community to emasculate Presco as their cow.

“Conclusively, the Federal and the state Governments should caution the Orogho people quickly.”