DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum Urges Oborevwori To De-escalate Rising Tensions In Warri, Environs

By Our Reporter

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum has urged the state Governor. Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently de escalate the growing tension amongst the Ijaws, Urhobos and Itsekiris in Warri and environs.

The forum expressed fear that with the growing tension amongst the various ethnic nationalities, might result into a repeat of another Warri crisis which led to the relocation of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) resulting into the collapse of economic activities plaguing the area till today.

The Ijaws, Urhobos and Itsekiris have been issuing threats of violence over the recently released Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposal on Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise.

The three ethnic nationalities have threatened the use of acquired weapons to execute violence against themselves if the final result of the delineation does not meet their expectations.

But Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commision(DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Engr Ogie Samson and Secretary, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, decried the threat of using violence in settling their disagreement over the issue of delineation in Warri.

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The forum suggests that inec should check the history of ownership of various political environments before conclusions in order to avoid future crises.

The group therefore pleaded with Governor Oborevwori to urgently summoned the leadership of the three ethnic nationalities into a meeting where their grievances can be addressed.

“The growing tension is now at an alarming rate threatening the peace of Warri and environs. Unless, Governor Oborevwori steps in urgently to diffuse the tension, it might snowball into another Warri crisis and we dont want this to happen.

“We are yet to recover from the last Warri crisis which led to the relocation of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Oil Services Companies. That relocation led to the socio-economic challenges facing the people of this area till today.

“The few ones remaining are just managing and we believe another crisis will force them out thereby collapsing totally the economy of this town”, it stated.

The forum also warned those fanning the embers of war, particularly the youths from the three ethnic nationalities, to desist henceforth and allow peace to reign.

It noted that another crisis will cripple small scale businesses which provides thousands of jobs for the youths adding “another crisis will throw them into the labour market again”.

The forum urged traditional rulers, political and community leaders to reign in their youths to avoid another crisis noting that should there be violence, this time around, it might lead to killings of many and destruction of properties.

“Our fears is that, should there be any unrest now, it will cause many deaths and destruction of properties, considering the insecurity challenges facing the nation with the proliferation of weapons everywhere”, it added.

The forum also noted that another crisis will cripple small scale businesses which provides jobs for the youths and throw them into the labour market again.