Dappa Maharajah
SEQUEL to the dissolution of oil committes in the Oil producing communities of Ondo State, the affected communities have threatened the state government to shut down oil related activities in the state.
The oil communities, mainly in Ilaje council, noted that the state government under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) does not have roles to play in the composition and dissolution of oil bearing committees.
The communities under the auspices of AICECUM, ASICOPlC and Obe Confederation, the three broad classifications of oil producing communities in the mandate areas, said they would resist the state government’s undue interference.
According to them, if the state government does not rescind its decision to dissolve oil related committees, they would plunge the state into drastic economic crisis.
Meanwhile, Governor Akeredolu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Segun Ajiboye, had announced the dissolution of oil bearing communities last week.
But the communities, namely: Ogungbeje, Ayetoro, Oretan, Obe-Nla, Ode Ugbo, Lepe, Ojumole, Ikorigho, Yonre, Beku, Odunoyinbo, Ugbonla and Erunona among others, said the action of the government would fester serious unrest in the communities.
The associations, they said have been brought together under a body to represent the interest of the Ilaje-Ugbo Oil & Gas Producing Communities, selected persons from the several oil and gas producing communities in Ilaje-Ugbo land.
They added that the representatives represent their interest particularly as it relates to their interfacing with oil servicing companies and other related oil and gas concerns operating in Ilaje-Ugbo communities.
Speaking on behalf of the communities in Akure yesterday, the President of Coastline Integrity Forum of Ugbo-Ilaje, Mr Wole Ogungbeje, the Secretary and Publicity Secretary, Mr Samuel Ebiwanon and Dapo Ojajuni, respectively, warned the government to stay off their association or face the wrath of the people.
They said the action of the government in the appointment of officers into the board of the State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and the purported dissolution of oil related committees is like pitching its tent on the side of Mahin and Ese-Odo people against Ugbo.
“If Ugbo kingdom does not have a place of priority in this government, we are going to put everything on hold. We will make sure that the multinationals will not listen to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the governor.
“He should know that issue that borders on oil is on exclusive list. If the state cannot resolve this, we will have no alternative than to fall back to Federal Government.”
The groups, which have the unalloyed support of the people of the Ugbo Kingdom, said they know how to organize, dissolve and constitute their own associations as at when due.
“The statement that includes Ilaje and Ese-Odo is a statement that is capable of causing crisis. Ilaje oil bearing communities have nothing to do with Apoi. If Akeredolu wants the Apoi to be recognized, they should learn.
“The sanctity of the Global Memorandum of Understanding must be protected. The Ugbo oil bearing communities are not going to fold their arms and allow their rights to be taken. We are ready to spill our blood on this issue.”
The aggrieved communities stressed that “the Ilaje-Ugbo oil and gas producing communities of Ondo State operate under the umbrella bodies, which are endorsed by the necessary authorities, even the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja.
They declared that Ilaje-Ugbo had never been in partnership with any other constituency or any other local government with regards to oil relationship with oil Companies operating in the state.
“It is pertinent to state that the said purported dissolution of oil related committees is a clear indication of total lack of understanding of oil representation in Ondo State,” they said.
