Ibrahim Bakare
Rivers State
Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured the Ejamah Community and other host
communities of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 that the Rivers State Government will
defend their right in any ensuing legal battle over the oil facility acquired
by the Rivers State Government.
Speaking
during an appreciation visit by the leaders of Ejamah Community of Eleme Local
Government Area at the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor
Wike commended the community for standing firm and fighting through established
due process.
“While
I remain Governor, one thing I will never do is sell the interest of our
people. The property of Shell Petroleum
Development Company (SPDC) were auctioned and the Rivers State Government bided
and acquired them.
“There will be legal battles. The Rivers State Government will stand for Rivers people”, he said.
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He
reiterated that with the acquisition of the 45 percent stakes of SPDC at OML
11, the Rivers State Government will extend some percentage to the host communities
to give them a sense of belonging.
He praised
Ejamah community for engaging in the legal battle for 29 years and refusing to
be swayed by financial proposals by SPDC.
He said:
“I am ready for the legal battle.
The interest of Rivers State must be protected at all times. But for
your fight, who will be talking of Rivers State Government acquiring OML 11.
OML 11 is not only for Ogoni, it extends to Okrika, Andoni, Oyigbo and Ikwerre.
“Any
community linked to OML 11 should be eternally grateful to you. I know some
communities that only N300million will change them. Your refusal to collect
N7billion led to the auctioning of Shell Interest.
“If the
Federal Government wants to talk, it is the Rivers State Government it should
talk with, because we have acquired Shell’s interest. I am with you. God knows
I have no personal interest.”
The Governor
recommended the style of Ejamah Community, which is based on legal struggles to
other communities. He said without violence, Ejamah community defeated SPDC in
the courts.
He said no
matter the schemes by SPDC, the judgment of the Supreme Court must be
implemented. The Governor commended the lawyer to the community, Lucius Nwosu
(SAN) for his trustworthiness.
Governor
Wike formally recognised the Traditional Ruler of Ejamah community as a second
class chief. He also directed the reconstruction of Ebubu Community Secondary
School.
Earlier, the
Leader of the Ejamah Community, Chief George Osaro said that the people of
Ejamah community are happy with the governor’s intervention in OML 11.
He said:
“The people of Ejamah community do hereby express our profound gratitude
to you for wading into the matter and ensuring that the Rivers State Government
purchased the 45percent interest of SPDC in OML 11.”
He said that
the intervention of the governor should not be misconstrued, as it in the overall
interest of the host communities. He said that the action has liberated the
people.
Chief Osaro
said that Ejamah Ebubu suffered one of the worst oil spill, which negatively
affected their environment.
“We
must understand that the Governor’s Plan is to boost the state economy, create
employment and alleviate the suffering of the people, the State and the Niger
Delta entirely as well as the nation”, he said.
He described
Governor Wike as a pace setter, a visionary leader and emancipator of the
people.
The Ejamah
community conferred on Governor Wike a chieftaincy title: “Oneh Owese
Oboru Ejamah.”