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.
Wike spoke during an appreciation
visit by the leaders of Ejamah Community of Eleme Local Government Area at the
Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Governor 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
bidded and acquired them.
“There will be legal battles. The
Rivers State Government will stand for Rivers people,” he said.
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. You 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 overrall 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.”
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