PRESS RELEASE - OMPALAN

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The Oil Mineral Producing Areas Landlords Association of Nigeria – OMPALAN held a meeting of the Board of Trustees and Peace Consolidation Workshop in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Saturday 7 th March, 2009 at the prestigious El-Mond Hotel & Suites.

Talking to reporters at the venue of the workshop, the National Coordinator-Security, Prince (Dr) Leslie Eke, JP said that participants were drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta with the theme- Peace, Security & Stability for Sustainability Development in the Niger Delta Region. The workshop is a precursor to the National Peace Consolidation Workshop to be held in Owerri, the Imo State capital in April, 2009. Prince Eke said that development experts, individuals and policy makers have engaged in many debates about the Niger Delta region’s dilemma, questioning why human and natural resources have had little impact on poverty. Why do conflict and youth restiveness simmer despite years of development interventions? Eke enthused that undoubtedly, there is a disequilibrium of relationship between the Oil/Gas producing areas and the Federal Government which imbalance affects the whole nation. He maintained that OMPALAN responsibility is to foster peace, unity, harmony, progress and stability among communities among themselves and oil companies.

The keynote address at the workshop was given by the chairman, OMPALAN Board of trustees & National leader, Bishop Udo Azuogu. He said the people of the Niger Delta are very resilient inspite of the multifarious issues threatening the peace, security and development in the region. He maintained that the issue of security can not be left to Government alone. He said that OMPALAN is a self-help effort, which is borne by the overriding constraints of drafting the region into the main stream of national agenda. He enthused that ompalan has a heavenly vision illuminated by the hopes of a peaceful and prosperous Niger Delta. Finally he said that OMPALAN will continue to support genuine efforts by Government and development partners to enthrone the rule of Law in the restive communities. Others in attendance were King Abah Ogwuile XIII, HRM M. O. Dic-Isotu of Obolo (Andoni) Kingdom, Honourable Charles Beke, one time Commissioner in the state, Honourable Chief Goddy Esom Obodo, former Imo House of Assembly and Prince Jonathan Evbosaru of Edo State.