UBETA GAS PLANT RELOCATION: EOG Firms Up Stand Against Coy Decision . . . Urges Elite, Traditional Rulers, The People To Unite
3 min read
by Oyagiri Chime-emele An oil and gas related non governmental organization based in Rivers State, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipeline Host Families Association, EOG has declared a ‘no no’ stand on the rumoured relocation of Ubeta Gas Project to Obite.
Ubeta is an Ekpeye Ethnic Nation community in Ahoada West Local Government Area, while Obite is of Egi extraction in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, both of Rivers State, Nigeria.
The national chairman of the organization, Comrade Dogini Chidi made the declaration during its sensitization programme last December 21, 2024, urging his people to unite in order to fight the injustice.
In his words; “The fight has started simply means to vigorously engage all relevant authorities to get what is due the Ekpeye people as long as the oil and gas struggle is concerned.
“Like the issue of Total Energy Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA Report that is not all inclusive, we have informed the Ministry of Environment and would continue the agitation till the right thing is done
“The Environmental Impact Assessment Report is selfish and wicked, so condemnable. We are saying that there must be a reverse of that assessment, so that Ekpeye people can be properly captured. Without that, it will be null and void.”
Comrade Dogini called on Ekpeye people to be united. He said; “Much cannot be achieved in disunity. We must consciously unite to face our common enemies. Our sons and daughters have no business to be in the bush with the enormous natural resources deposits in our soil. Drop your guns and embrace the forthcoming amnesty.
“With Ubeta Gas Project, Manuso Gas Project and other Oil and Gas Projects in Ekpeye Land, there would not be any hunger in Ekpeye Land again.
“To put the record straight, Ekpeye People would not allow the piping of Ubeta Gas to Obite Gas rather there should be Gas Plant built in Ekpeye Land..”
He applauded the Minister for State Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Minister for State, Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,i for their efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism.
Comrade Dogini asserted that pipeline surveillance has come to stay, adding that the Federal Government initiative on pipeline surveillance has made the environment more peaceful.
He explained that over time, there had been series of pollution as a result of oil exploration activities, coupled with the pipeline sabotage that has been going on in Niger Delta communities.
The EOG leader reiterated that since the resumption of oil pipeline surveillance, there has been relative calmness and that has also increased the output in production, which Nigeria is feeding with.
He stated that the essence of the sensitization campaign is to make the people come into terms with what has come to stay, hinting that the pipeline surveillance has also created job opportunities for the teeming youths to be gainfully employed.
He challenged the Federal Government to reciprocate the people’s cooperative gesture. According to him; “So, having done our part to educate and enlighten our people on the absolute need to shun pipeline vandalization, we are calling on the Federal Government to make sure all hands must be on deck to move the society forward.
“We would continue to protect public facilities but we are also expecting dividends based on our efforts as a people.”
On amnesty, he said! “It is of key importance to the Ekpeye people. We have written and consulted relevant authorities on it. High Chief Government alias Tompolo through his Field Marshalls has also promised to make it possible. So, we are looking at the first quarter of next year to kickstart the process.
It would be recalled that EOG had its last quarter sensitization programme, tagged: Complementing the efforts of the Federal Government on Pipeline Surveillance Initiative; It’s benefits to the Host Communities, on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Ahoada Town, Rivers State.
