Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has assured the host communities of Oil Mining Lease OML11, that the Rivers State Government will defend their rights in any ensuing legal battle, over the oil facility acquired by the State Government.
Speaking during a visit by the leaders of Ejamah-Ebubu Community of Eleme Local Government Area at the Government House Port Harcourt, Governor Wike commended the community for standing firm and fighting through established due process.
The Governor explained that with the acquisition of the 45 percent stakes of SPDC on OML11, the Rivers State Government will extend some percentage of the stakes to the host communities to give them a sense of belonging.
He commended Ejamah community for engaging in the legal battle for 29 years and refusing to be swayed by financial proposals by SPDC.
In his words, “While I remain Governor, one thing I will never do is sell the interest of our people. The property of Shell Petroleum Development Company 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. 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 OML11 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.”
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The Governor recommended the style of Ejamah Community, which is based on legal struggles to other communities, emphasising that 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 king, while directing the reconstruction of Ebubu Community Secondary School.
Earlier, Leader of the Ejamah Community, Chief George Osaro, disclosed that the people of Ejamah community are happy with the governor’s intervention in OML 11.
Osaro said that the intervention of the governor should not be misconstrued, as it in the overrall interest of the host communities, stating that the action has liberated the people.
He regretted that Ejamah Ebubu community suffered one of the worst oil spill, which negatively affected their environment.
“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.
“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.”
The Ejamah community leaders described Governor Wike as a pace setter, a visionary leader and emancipator of the people, while conferring on the Governor a chieftaincy title, “Oneh Owese Oboru Ejamah.”
