Ijaw/Itsekiri Showdown imminent as export project group is named

WARRI -

Another Ijaw/Itsekiri war seems imminent in Delta State owing to the naming of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State after Ogidigben.


Members of a group under the aegis of EPZ stakeholders committee of Gbaramatu kingdom said they are ready for a show down with both the Federal and state Government for what it described as “injustice and unfair deals with the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Clan in the ongoing EPZ project.”


Addressing a press conference in Warri, the group in a statement signed by Chief Godspower Gbenekama T.D, the Benenowei of Gbaramatu kingdom for and on behalf of the EPZ stakeholders of Gbaramatu kingdom and made available to the press, said their grouse was that the Itsekiris are not the only indigenes of the site for the EPZ project.


“It is pertinent to state that the site for the EPZ project is spread across kinds and communities belonging to both the Ijaw of Gbaramatu and Ogborodo community.


The group while also reacting to an advertorial in a National Daily where a group known as, “Warri Study Group, alleged members that they have won cases over the people of Gbaramatu.


The group said the cases are still being litigated upon while a number of them are in the appellate court, maintaining that the Ijaws of Gbaramatu are tenants to nobody.


According to them the bulk of the land is provided by the Ijaws with over 10 Ijaw communities as host to the EPZ project.


They therefore faulted the naming of the EPZ after Ogidigben saying it was to create an erroneous impression that all the lands on which the project lie are Itsekiris.


They wondered why the naming was done in such a way that all the shareholders in the project are reflected in the naming. This in their view is an invitation to anarchy.


“The lessons of Warri crisis are still fresh in the minds of all peace loving Nigerians and we must avoid actions that caused the unfortunate war”.


We must not forget that yesterday’s events are today’s history”. The statement said.


The group further maintained that the Federal and Delta State Government and NNPC cannot take the lands of Gbaramatu without adequate compensation.


“The Federal and Delta State Government and NNPC cannot take the lands of Gbaramatu, every Ijaw will fight with his last drop of blood, our peaceable disposition must not be taken for weakness.”


The EPZ stakeholders of Gbaramatu Kingdom while lauding the Federal and State Government for establishing the EPZ in Warri South West Local Government Area of the State because of the development it is expected to bring to the area, faulted the 21 man interface committee set up by the Delta State Government which is composed entirely of Itsekiri persons while the Ijaws are excluded from the arrangement.


The group also alleged that both the Federal and State Government, NNPC and Julius Berger Plc. have failed to liase with the 23 man committee set up by the Gbaramatu clan in the EPZ project.


The group therefore resolved to result to self help, unless urgent steps are taken to address the anomalies and listed among other demands that the name of the EPZ Ogidigben be changed to reflect the names of all stakeholders in the project; that two different committees be set up for the Ijaws of Gbaramatu and Ogulaha as it was during the tenure of Chief James Ibori as governor in the Escravos Gas To Liquid project (EGTL); that NNPC should open up a channel of discussion with the various Ijaw groups.