ASABA/Nigeria: The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, on Wednesday stepped in to quell a lingering land dispute between Emu-Ebendo and Obodo Ugwa-Ogume communities in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, urging parties to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling and maintain peace.
At a resolution meeting held in Asaba with representatives of both communities and oil firm Energia Limited, Onyeme reminded stakeholders that the apex court had already laid the matter to rest.
“Government is aware that there is a Supreme Court judgement on this land dispute, and that judgement affirms that Ebendo is the landlord while Obodo Ugwa is an impacted community,” Onyeme declared. “Anyone acting contrary to the ruling is violating the judgement—and there are consequences.”
The Deputy Governor, himself an Ndokwa son, said his intervention was personal and necessary to safeguard peace and development in the oil-producing area.
“I am presiding at this meeting because it affects me as an Ndokwa man. We must toe the line of peace to enjoy the benefits of hosting an oil company,” he said.
He cautioned that the Supreme Court rarely reverses itself and advised all parties to work with the existing sharing arrangement already in place.
“We must stand by the truth. Energia, in accordance with the law, should continue using the current formula for implementing the Memorandum of Understanding,” he said. “If there’s ever a reversal of the judgement by the court, we will abide by it then. But for now, peace must reign.”
The Deputy Governor emphasized that without peace, no meaningful development could occur. “Let Energia work without disturbance. Let Ebendo and Obodo Ugwa continue to live in peace. That way, government and the world will see us as peaceful people.”
Energia Limited’s acting Managing Director, Mr. Oladimeji Bashorun, assured that the company would not alter the existing formula used in managing host community benefits.
Both Chief Oju King Nejichi of Obodo Ugwa and Chief Sunday Enewuzo of Emu-Ebendo expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government for its timely intervention and pledged to maintain peace in line with the resolutions reached.
