3 hours ago
8 ARTICLE AD
The people of the Ekpeye ethnic nation in the Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas of Rivers State have declared their position on TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited’s proposed Ubeta Gas Project.
Their position on the proposed project is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of their deliberations on the way forward for the ethnic nation, made available to South-South PUNCH at the weekend in Yenagoa.
The communiqué was signed by Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, Eze Chigemerem David, Eze Emene Echi Ubie I, Secretary, Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs and Dr. Michael U. Nyemenim, President General, Uzugbani Ekpeye.
They signed on behalf of themselves and the entire Ekpeye people at the end of a meeting held at the palace of Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, in the Ula Upata community.
The people unanimously agreed not to divert any part of the project to Obite in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The six-point communiqué said, “The Ubeta Gas Project shall be built in the Ubeta community or elsewhere in the Ekpeye ethnic nation.
“That Ekpeye people will not allow TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited in conjunction with few persons in Ekpeye ethnic nation to pipe the gas to Obite community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Ekpeye people have proscribed all groups or individuals discussing or dialoguing with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited as regards the Ubeta Gas Project.
“All discussions on the Ubeta Gas Project shall be discussed by the people of Ekpeye ethnic nation.
“Igbu Ubie is a part of Ekpeye and all companies operating in Igbu Ubie, or any other parts of Ekpeye ethnic nation shall be answerable to the people of Ekpeye ethnic nation.
“TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited shall meet with the people of Ekpeye ethnic nation to discuss the issue bordering on the exploration of the gas in the Ubeta community.”
The people said the deliberations and declarations followed the democratic process in the presence of some Eze Igbus, heads of important traditional, socio-cultural organs, women groups and youths from all the seven kingdoms that make up the ethnic nation.
Some notable individuals in the meeting include Eze Joshua Eyiba, Eze Igbu Igbuduya II, Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, Eze Igbu Upata III, represented by Nye Udu Nnodi Micheal, Eze Anderson Egbuluka, Eze Igbu Ugbobi II and Eze Prince Ike Ehie, Eze Igbu Orlukwor II.
Others are Ekpeye Youth President, Comrade Justice Ewoh, National Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association, Comrade Dogini Chidi, Vice Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Contact Committee, High Chief Samuel Ekiye and Ada Ekpeye, High Chief Patricia W. Ogbonnaya.
They affirmed the unity of people anchored on filial cultural heritage and further declared that “Ekpeye ethnic nation is one and all parts of Ekpeye ethnic nation are what constitute the people and the place known as Ekpeye ethnic nation.
“All the stakeholders spoke for the unity of Ekpeye ethnic nation.”
When contacted on the development, TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Charles Ebereonwu refused to make any comment.
Ebereonwu’s response in a text message reads, “Good evening, Samuel. No comment on this subject.”
