Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan declared on Wednesday that the
$ 16 billion Gas City Project was on course and could not be stalled by
the activities of fifth columnists.
Uduaghan, in a media interaction with journalists in Warri, reiterated
that security agencies where not involved in shoot out at Ugborodo, site
of the project, as alleged by a section of the media.
The Governor, rather noted that the trumped up reports were the handiwork
of persons that bent on stalling the take off of the project, stressing
that the Federal and State Government would not be distracted by such
antics.
Uduaghan informed that he has met with the National Security Adviser, the
Chief of Naval Staff and the Inspector General of Police, adding
“everything is been done to ensure there is adequate security in the area
for the project to go on.”
The contractor, he said would in the next few days be moving to site to
commence work and allayed any fears of the project being relocated from
the state.
He informed that parties in he struggle for the leadership of the Ugborodo
Community Trust have been summoned to Abuja and appealed to everyone in
the area to maintain the peace.
Uduaghan dismissed insinuations of vested interest in the area, explaining
that his only interest was to provide a peaceful environment for the
project to succeed.
” My interest is to ensure that there is peace in the community and that
the project succeeds because this project is beneficial not only to
Ugborodo Community, Itesikiri Land, Delta State but Nigeria as a whole.
” I have no personal interest in this matter, all the factions are known
and close to me and they have worked with me even before I became
governor.”
In a related development, a group of Itsekiri Women led by Chief Rita
Lori-Ogbebor, met with the governor in tWarri to understand the issues in
Ugborodo.
The governor, commending the Itsekiri Leader for her peaceful effort
explained that leadership tussle on who becomes chairman of the Ugborodo
Community Trust was at the root of recent unfounded stories in a section
of the press.
Uduaghan assured the delegation that the Federal and State Governments
were working closely to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the
area.
Lori-Ogbebor on her part commended the quick intervention of the governor
in dousing tension in the area and pleaded with him to always keep the
channel of communication open with the women group.
She explained, “we have come here to ensure that there is peace in
Itsekiri land.”