Delta govt gives communities 2 weeks to withdraw suits - Over land dispute

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 29.02.2008

THE Delta State government has given the Okorogbene and Diebiri communities in Warri South Local Government Area of the state two weeks ultimatum to withdraw all legal matters concerning an oil rich land which had been in dispute between the communities.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Gas and Oil Matters, Mr. David Ekereokosu, and Senior Special Assistant on Communities Affairs, Mr. Vincent Omorie, conveyed the government’s position to the representatives of the two communities at the Governor’s Office annex, Warri.

The two communities had been at loggerheads over the ownership of the land which hosts Batam Oil Field owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The protracted battle was over who to enjoy the oil royalties from the oil company as well as benefit from the micro-credit scheme of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPDAEC).

But the state government said it was ready to resolve the dispute once and for all and asked the communities to cooperate so that a lasting peace would reign in the area.