By Wilson Macaulay
Warri
The leadership, concerned members , stakeholders and the inhabitants of Egbema Offshore communities otherwise known called and addressed as Egbema National Development Forum ( ENDF ) has given 14 Days Ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited to ensure that the Management as a matter of urgency do the needful in respect of the establishment of Host Communities Development Trust that will comprise of all Egbema Onshore and Offshore Communities of Chevron Nigeria Limited operations in their domain .
The Egbema Offshore Communities
in a statement signed by the National President, Comrade Mike JK Tiemo and
twenty others made available to Daily lndependent reads in part:
Comrade Mike JK Tiemo the Group
President who expantiated on the
issue said: " We wish to make ourselves clear that in respect of the paramount issues of PIA , due to our bad twenty - three ( 23 ) years experience and negative impartation as regard the earlier fusions we had , we have decided to uphold our kingdom's position to stand and operate as autonomous Host Community Development Trust with our Egbema Onshore and Offshore Communities without any other kingdom or Communities amalgamation and affiliation."
Comrade Mike JK Tiemo explained that
the reason for the decision for Egbema Onshore and Offshore Communities to propose a fusion is obvious and in line
with the PIA Act or regulations which clearly stated that the Settlors should consult with the host communities for the establishment of Host Communities Development Trust Fund , stressing that Egbema Offshore and Onshore Communities will never form any fusion
under any guise with other kingdom Communities
Comrade Mike JK Tiemo the President of Egbema Offshore Communities
observed: " However , if Chevron Nigeria Limited fails to comply with the Egbema kingdom Communities yearning and position for both Onshore and Offshore Communities to be in One Host Communities Development Trust ( HCDT ) Chevron Nigeria Limited should be ready to establish Egbema Offshore Host Communities Development Trust as autonomous or separate entity without any hesitation or delay .
The Group which relied on a letter , dated May 10th 2022
written by Chevron Nigeria Limited to
Agadagba Palace of Egbema kingdom addressed to the Regent, noted thus:
" Chevron Nigeria Limited solicited for the support of our traditional ruler for the proper and absolute establishment of the governance structure of Host Communities Development Trust under the Petroleum Industry Act . In light of the above , recommendation letters has been written and sent for necessary actions as regards the Egbema Onshore and Offshore Communities . We therefore , look forward to the implementation without any hesitation."
The Statement added: " lf our request is not granted , we shall absolutely resist or object to any move of another fusion with any kingdom or Communities except only Egbema Onshore and Offshore as regard PIA Host Communities Development Trust . It is a taboo to disregard our traditional Stool , traditional ruler or the kingdom's position over this matter."
Comrade Mike JK Tiemo the Communities President while speaking on Deep Water operations said " We , the Egbema Offshore Communities hereby place a demand on all Chevron Nigeria Limited Deep Water Operations for the provision of all our accrue and accruable entitlements , benefits , remunerations , allocations or opportunities as Lagos State Ondo State Bayelsa State and Rivers State have been benefiting in the Deep Water Operations .
The Humanitarian activist urged Chevron Nigeria Limited as a matter of urgency without any hesitation to address the abnormalities and injustices melted on Egbema Offshore Communities in pursuance to the establishment of the Host Communities Development Trust as regard Chevron Nigeria Limited Deep Water Operations in Agbamu field e.t.c.
He asserted that Chevron Nigeria Limited should make provisions accruable to Egbema Offshore Communities for justice, equity and fairness to prevail, as Delta State remains one of the major beneficiary as aforementioned in respect of your ongoing massive deep Water operations or activities which is in the vicinity of Itsekiris , Ijaws and llajes that are Host Communities to Chevron Nigeria Limited.
We demand in strong terms that Chevron Nigeria Limited management should notify us about the total amount accrue and accruable to Gbaramatu The Egbema Offshore Communities in the ultimatum declaration also demanded for the release of funds / money for Community Development Projects execution, Youths / Women Empowerment on Agro - business and other areas noting that the Communities have already trained numerous indigenes who are fully on ground ready for engagement or empowerment before the commencement of PIA Governance structure implementation. Ogulaga Coastal Communities Front ( GEDCCF ) Funds / Money with effect from 2008 till date as requested in our previous and recent meetings."
The Egbema Offshore Communities in
the ultimatum declaration
also demanded for the release of funds / money for Community Development Projects execution, Youths / Women Empowerment on Agro - business and other areas noting that the Communities have already trained numerous indigenes who are fully on ground ready for engagement or empowerment before the commencement of PIA Governance structure implementation.
In summation, the remarked:"Finally, if the above demands are not met for peace , justice and tranquility to prevail , we would have no other options then but to mobilise and massively shut down all Chevron Nigeria Limited Onshore and Offshore operations in our communities or vicinity .
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