By Sunday Apah
The people of Agbowhiame Community, Ughievwen Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have taken a stand against what they described as the encroachment of their land by the OML 34 AMT, NEPL/ND-Western joint venture.
On Monday morning, community members gathered in their hundreds near Well 10 to voice their concerns about the ongoing preparatory work for the redrilling of the oil well.
Leading the protest was Mr. Emmanuel Osieta, the President General of the Agbowhiame Community. With unwavering determination, he emphasized the importance of the demonstration, stating that their primary objective was to make the company aware of their grievances.
“We are here to let the company know that our land has been encroached upon as a result of the ongoing work at Well 10,” he declared passionately.
Osieta urged OML 34 AMT, NEPL/ND-Western to address the matter directly with community leaders, suggesting that an official engagement could pave the way for a resolution.
He emphasized that the company must seek proper approval from the community before proceeding further with their operations.
The community is adamant that their rights must be respected and that communication is essential for finding a way forward.
“We expect that compensation for land use should follow any agreement reached. Furthermore, employment opportunities for our youths are essential for the development of our community,” he asserted, underscoring the economic impact of the oil venture.
Other community leaders who spoke with journalists, including Mr. Aselor Peter and Miss Ighovwakpor, expressed their intention to use all legal means possible to protect their land rights.
The leaders stated that despite efforts by some sponsored individuals to destabilize the protest, the outcome was positive.
