…opposes move by Chevron Nigeria Limited to negotiate with the Ijaw communities without Ilaje

OIL rich communities in llaje areas of Ondo state weekend opposed clandestine move by Chevron Nigeria Limited to shut them out of the talk on land acquisition for Saturn Oil Well along the borderline of Ondo and Delta States.

They have therefore issued a seven-day ultimatum to the oil company to stay action pending when issues around the Oil-rich location will be resolved or be faced with dare consequences.

This was contained in a protest letter to the oil company by leaders of the oil communities which include Omogbemi Blessing, Ogungbeje Abel Wole and Chief Paul Akinmulewo and made available to newsmen in Akure, Ondo state capital.

They said that ”Let it be cleared to Chevron Nigeria Limited that negotiation done without Ilaje will not be tolerated as we cannot afford to take negotiation remnants.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ilaje communities situated along the border line are Orietan, Odun-Oyinbo, Ogungbeje, Beku, Yoren, Ebiwon, Gbenebite, Ubakana Ilaje.

“We (Ilaje borderline Communities) will not open our eyes to see any injustice against our Communities fly.

“Let it be recalled that all these communities i.e. Ijaw Communities, Ilaje Communities and Itsekiri communities have been coexisting for a long period of time in spite of the fragile peace predominant among them.

“Therefore, Chevron Nigeria Limited should not embark on actions capable of fracturing the peace and triggering crises.

“We are law-abiding citizens. We cannot allow Chevron Nigeria Limited to push us to the wall hence we call on all the security agencies to call Chevron Nigeria Limited to order not to cause inter-communal crises among us the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Ilaje.

The communities added that ” We give Chevron Nigeria Limited early warning to make recourse to the Government of Ondo State. A stitch in time saves nine.