- Moves To Resolve Conflict Between Seplat, Communities
BY PATRICK MGBODO
Delta State Government has urged communities to foster a peaceful environment and avoid actions that could drive investors away from the state, emphasizing the importance of peace as a catalyst for development.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, gave the charge during a mediation meeting between Seplat West Limited and the Abigorodo, Obotie, and Gbekoko communities held in Asaba.
During the meeting, Chief Uzor reminded the parties in the dispute of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s stance on peace for meaningful development as enshrined in the MORE agenda.
Central to the meeting was the contentious issue of host community status, which had sparked protests by Abigorodo and other communities. They accused Seplat of failing to recognize them as host communities, prompting the company to petition the state government over the dispute.
According to Chief Uzor, ‘’One thing that the communities should go home with today is that the Delta State Governor does not want to hear that any community chased investors away.
‘’We must all find a peaceful way to resolve whatever the issues are because investors are helping us to develop the state and in turn, we are also helping them to grow their businesses. However, we should not be on the side of forcing them to relocate elsewhere.
‘’The government does not encourage anything that will force investors out of our state.
This department (Peace Building) is also proactive in resolving issues that would lead to crisis because once we notice the early signs, we wade in and try to bring peace; that is the only way to encourage development’’ Chief Uzor said.
Reacting to the issue on the ground, Chief Uzor promised all parties that a peaceful resolution would be reached based on documentary evidence and established precedents. ‘’The state government, during the Okowa administration, set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry which was presided over by the current Chief Judge of the State.
‘’Therefore, we will be properly guided in finding a lasting solution to the disputes because we do not want to make mistakes and we do not want to cause more trouble’’ Chief Uzor said.
He charged the communities not to disrupt the operations of Seplat, even as he promised them that peaceful resolutions would be reached. ‘’Go home and live in peace and ensure that peace reigns.
‘’Allow Seplat to operate. We (the government) will deal with the matter and we will come out with peaceful solutions in the best interest of everybody. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is there, and the White Paper from the Judicial Panel of Enquiry is there too.
‘’Seplat is a good company and the communities too are good people. So, we should not be fighting. The governor is aware of this matter and he wants peace; he doesn’t want conflicts or crises that would lead to litigations or disruptions.
Stakeholders, including Seplat’s Legal Manager, Churchill Agbasa; counsel for the Obotie community, Obafemi Ainerua; Chairman of Gbekoko Community, Elder Ray Mene; and Chairman of Abigborodo Community, Hon. Misan Ukubeyinje, among others, presented their respective positions, seeking for an amicable resolution of the issues.
