By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
The lingering crisis between Conoil Producing Limited, operators of OML 150 Obodo Field in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State festered on Sunday as
members of the oil field’s Major Stakeholders Forum comprising indigenes of the seven host communities warned the oil firm to “immediately stop the alleged double dealing game they are playing with the communities”.
The warning came amidst the recent 21-day ultimatum the host communities gave Conoil to open negotiation with the Comrade Monday Agbeyi led executive of the Communities Consultative Forum, failure of which they claimed the oil firm risks eviction from the area.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, leadership of the various communities insisted that they “will no longer condone any act of disrespect to the established authorities of the seven host communities, the Palace of the Olu of Warri and the State Government by deliberately refusing to engage the Comrade Monday Agbeyi led Forum without any justifiable reason”.
Among the leaders of the Major Stakeholders Forum at the press conference were Botosan Gbejoro representing Ifiekporo community; Tsaye Mene (Omadino community); Stanley Egbemiye (Obodo); Morrison Omagbemi (Ewekwara); Daniel Ayonuwe Otite (Ajaosolo); Omawu Egbejule (Uwakeno) and Emmanuel Ajemide (Sillo).
The Forum renewed their confidence vote on the current executive of the OML 150 Communities Consultative Forum under the leadership of Comrade Monday Agbeyi and urged the public not to give any credence to those described as “masquerading individuals and merchants of conflicts, whose source of livelihood is tied to the conflict they intentionally create in communities”.
Addressing newsmen, the Jaluwa/Efueye Communities Chairman of the Forum, Botosan Gbejoro, accused Conoil Producing Limited of alleged ‘double dealing game’ with the host communities, in the raging conflict.
He said, “We members of the OML 150 Major Stakeholders Forum, state unequivocally that our support is with the current executive of the OML 150 Communities Consultative Forum under the leadership of Comrade Monday Agbeyi.
“We are also using this opportunity to urge any organization, company and individuals working hand-in-gloves with some masquerading persons like those peddling falsehood and stirring up conflict in our communities to desist forthwith”.
He then called on members of the public and corporate organizations to “be wary of the handiwork of mischief makers who may want to mislead the public and truncate the lasting peace being enjoyed in the communities”.
Conoil Producing Limited, operators of OML 150 Obodo Field, was recently given 21-day ultimatum by the seven host communities, to open negotiation with the Comrade Monday Agbeyi led executive of the Communities Consultative Forum, failure of which the communities claimed the oil firm risks eviction from the area.
The ultimatum was issued when placards wielding indigenes of the host communities besieged the Conoil Obodo Field, in a peaceful protest, bringing all operational activities to a halt threatening not to succumb until Conoil decide to listen to them and commence immediate engagement with the Comrade Monday Agbeyi led executive.
They insisted that the host communities were ready to use all within their means to ensure justice in their land.
They however applauded the royal Palace of the Olu of Warri, “for stepping in at the appropriate time to clear the cloud of doubt, by affirming that the Monday Agbeyi led executive is the only constituted body for now, representing the seven host communities of OML 150 that Conoil should interface with”.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the management of Conoil Producing Limited for reactions on the incident was futile as at the time of filing this report