Emma Amaize
4 December 2011, Sweetcrude, WARRI- DELTA State Government has intervened in the feud, which erupted last week between the people of Uzere kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, over non-signing of Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, by the oil company with the host community.
It was learnt that on the directive of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was disturbed by reports that some persons were reportedly killed and scores injured in a fracas between security agents attached to SPDC and protesting villagers, the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Mofe Pirah, convened a tripartite meeting involving the government and the warring parties at the weekend.
The meeting, held in Warri, was attended by representatives of the state government, SPDC and the community. President – General of the Uzere kingdom, Chief Emeakpo Owhe, JP, and Chief Lugard Eboh led the community’s delegation.
The details of the meeting were not made public, but it was gathered that the state government asked Shell to dialogue with the community and reached an acceptable resolution, as it needed understanding and cooperation of its host to operate in their environment.
The government also expressed concern over the divergence of opinions in the community, which resulted in the razing of the palace of the traditional ruler and other issues, but the community delegation insisted that the kingdom was not factionalized as long as their demands from the oil company were concerned.
According to our source, “Another meeting will be held this week to appraise the state of things”.
Meanwhile, villagers who fled the community last week as a result of the invasion of the town by soldiers, have started returning home.
“There is calm now, those who were arrested by security agents have been released”, a villager disclosed yesterday.
