By Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Host communities of Chevron oil in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South-West local government area in Delta, have said that they most be involved in the ongoing negotiations with their Ugborodo neighbours.
The spokesman, Chief Godspower Gbenekama says ignoring the communities by the oil company and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could be dangerous.
Speaking with our correspondent in Asaba on Sunday, he accused the National Association of Premium Investment Monitoring Society (NAPIMS) and NNPC of encouraging divide and rule tactics against host communities with especially in the aspect of contracts.
Gbenekama urged government to avoid protests or occupation of flow stations before they would listen to host communities.
He also said that whatever discussions Chevron and government wanted to discuss with their Ugborodo Ijaw neighbours that are hosting CNL operations, they should be carried along.
According to him, both Ijaws of Gbamaratu and Egbema that were host communities to Chevron, are in the same terrain therefore should not be neglected.
“The people were not afraid of occupying flow stations if that is what the government want before they will attend to our demands, which we have presented to Chevron severally even in Gbaramatu Kingdom Palace at Oporoza, without attention or call for dialogue.
“The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun 11 has continually appealed to his subjects not to embark on protest,” Gbenekama said.
He commended the communities for coming together to protest against injustice meted to hosts communities by Chevron.
