OIL AND GAS EXPLOITATION: The Narrative Must Change In Ekpeye Land ‐ High Chief Ewoh . . . Pledges Support For EOG
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by Loveday Joy
An Ekpeye ethnic nation recognised traditional title holder, High Chief Robinson Ewoh has pledged to work towards changing the oil and gas narrative in his area.
Dr Ewoh made the vow when members of the Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association (EOG) led by its National Chairman, Comrade Chidi Dogini, paid him a courtesy visit at his Port Harcourt office on January 27th.
He noted that Ekpeye has suffered much deprivation from the hands of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the area, adding that all should work collectively to put an end to the anomaly.
The one time Deputy Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly , who wondered why a people so blessed by God, could be so impoverished, added that it was time to make the needed changes through constructive dialogue with critical stakeholders in the industry.
He thanked EOG for its lofty vision of championing the cause to bring about the desired development in Ekpeye land through the oil and gas sector, and advised the group to continue to work selflessly for the good of all
Ewoh assured the team that he would do his best to give the necessary support whenever needed to enable it realize its vision to place the Ekpeye ethnic nation on the same pedestal with its contemporaries.
Earlier in his speech, the Association’s National Chairman, Comrade Chidi Dogini stated that the association was formed to champion the cause of Ekpeye ethnic nation in the oil and gas industry, hence its name; Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association.
He added that the one of the objectives of the association is to advocate for the recognition of the family unit as the bonifide owners of all oil and gas situated land before the community.
Dogini explained that EOG was not formed and registered to usurp the rights of any family or community but to assist in fighting for them as an NGO through sensitization, advocacy and information dissemination, stressing that Ekpeye ethnic nation has for long been shortchanged and deprived of its rightful entitlements.
He solicited for the support of Ekpeye elite to help in the crusade against continuous impoverishment, degradation and calculated neglect by the IOCs operating in the land.
He also lamented that with the crop of elite God has blessed the land with, such daylight robbery by the IOCs is still condoned and accepted.
