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The Delta State Deputy Governor , Deacon Barr. Burutu Otuaro has appealed to communities in Warri South West and, Warri North local government areas of the state to maintain calm and to continue on the part of peace and dialogue at all time.
The Deputy governor Kingsley Otuaro who supervised the peace meeting between Kokodiagbene , Makaraba, Egbema and Gbaramatu communities and Chevron Nigeria Limited which were in serious crisis over the issue of unemployment at Government House Annex, Warri said government swift intervention on the crisis has paid off and peace has returned to the community.
He assured government hopes “to deepen the platform for peace to thrive in the areas because that is the platform we have put up for ourselves,” he said.
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Deacon Otuaro said this issue between the Egbema and Gbaramutu Kingdom bothers on unemployment and infrastructural deficit which led to the face off amongst them and the company and they felt very strong that the government must come in immediately which did bring peace into the area.
He added that during the meeting, “we had far reaching result amongst all stakeholders’ holders and we also created other platforms to deepen engagement and dialogue and the communities are returning back to their homes, to work in harmony with the oil companies”.
In an interview, leaders of some of the affected communities and stakeholders said, if the ultimatum given to Chevron was not adhere to, they will shut down the flow station explaining that the oil firm has refused to provide basic amenities for its host communities in addition to fulfilling the memorandum of understanding reached in the past.
The meeting attracted leaders from the affected communities including prominent politicians and top government functionaries, Commissioner for oil and gas Mr Freeman Fregene, the Chairman of Warri South West, Hon. Taye Touyor and the special Adviser to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor.
The representative of Chevron at the event, Mr Esimaje Britain’s thanked the Delta State government for the intervention promising to work towards the decisions reached during the event.
He solicited for the cooperation of host communities in finding lasting solution to the problems.
