Emma Amaize
04 September 2012, Sweetcrude, WARRI—DESPITE the promise of Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan over the controversial sale of Oil Mining Leases, OMLs, located in the state, youth leaders from the Urhobo, Isoko and Ndokwa host communities to the oil leases have vowed to go ahead with their planned shutdown of oil installations in their areas.
The vending of OMLs 26, 30 and 34 by Shell Petroleum Development Company had attracted widespread condemnation from host communities in the state since the exercise was completed.
In a statement by their spokesperson, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, the youth leaders said: “As you are aware, we told you of our planned shutdown of all oil installations in the areas over the sale of OMLs 26, 30 and 34 without due process. We wish to inform you that there is no going back, as we are going ahead with the shutdown.”
But the governor at a meeting with traditional rulers and opinion leaders from Isoko, Urhobo and Ndokwa ethnic groups, recently, said there was no need to resort to violence, as he would personally convey the grievances of the oil communities to the Federal Government.
