…..As community gives Chevron 14-day ultimatum
The adamant militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), yesterday continued its onslaught on oil installations with the bombing of Oviri-Ogor delivery line to the QCC in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta, operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).
In a statement by its Spokesperson, Aldo Agbalaja, which was made available to newsmen in Warri yesterday, the group described its attacks on oil facilities within the upland areas as a reaffirmation of its determination to settle scores with various multinational companies who had betrayed the region.
It reads in part: “in further execution of the Operation Hammurabi Code, the Akuma Strike Team, at about 2300hour of Friday, October 14, 2016, bombed the Oviri-Ogor delivery line to the QCC in Ughelli. This is a message to not just shoreline and NPDC, the operators of this facility, but to all of you who own facilities in the upland area of our land and still believe in the arms of flesh”.
“This shall be the state of affairs until all of you adjust to taking our land and the lives of our people seriously. The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not kidding with anybody and anybody should not think this is just one of those coming around to beg for a morsel of bread. Start a real and genuine engagement of real grassrooted leaders from the region, not the divide-and-rule pattern, and this campaign shall cease,” it added.
The group, therefore, warned the Nigerian Armed Forces against indiscriminate arrest of innocent members of the oil rich communities, saying if you come in contact with us; it will not be a case of arrest, but a test of arms strength. Such an encounter will undoubtedly result to a fight, so be warned.”
In a related development, aggrieved indigenes of Okoyitoru community in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, have handed down a 14-day ultimatum to the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited to commence the pilling and sand filling of their devastated community or face dire consequences.
The community in a letter to the Managing Director of Chevron, dated October 10, 2016 through their lawyer, Omes Ogedegbe, noted the ultimatum had become imperative as the demand for the project which the people considered very important to their well-being had been kept in view for too long by the company’s management despite repeated reminders.
According to the counsel, “The landmass of Okoyitoru is currently washing away and if same is left unattended, the community might go into extinction hence the only remedy is for an urgent piling and sand filing to be carried out for our client and same must be commenced within 14days from the date of your receipt of this letter, otherwise we shall be left with no other choice than to advise our client on all legal remedies available to them”
He further stated, “Our instruction upon mandate from our clients as eminently presented by Hon. Timi Oluba, chairman of Okoyitoru Development Council and other executives of our clients is to the effect that our client is an oil producing community within the “Makaraba field” in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State where your company has continually carried out the business of oil exploration activities since the year 1973”.
“If this is allowed to continue, it will surely create an unpleasant situation for everyone in the area as our clients are no longer afraid, but angry that having written several letters to press home their demand in line with modern civilization none of these have been given a favorable response,”Ogedegbe added.