Abia State Government has urged the people of Owaza Community in Ukwa West LGA to guard against the activities of oil bunkering in their area.
The Governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu gave the advise while addressing Youths of Owaza who were at Government House Umuahia, on a peaceful protest about the misrepresentation of facts regarding oil producing activities in Communities of Ukwa West.
Governor Ikpeazu, represented by the Secretary to the State Govetnment, Barr. Chris Ezem, said government would not allow the facts regarding oil production in the area to be upturned, rather it would be corrected in due time.
He said ASOPADEC was created by the state government for the good of oil producing communities in the state adding that it is their responsibility to protect oil facilities in their localities.
“I commend you for organizing yourselves peacefully to articulate your grievances and to set records straight as it affects the oil producing activities in Communities of Ukwa West. What you have said is that no correspondent should misrepresent what the facts are.
“The 7th Assembly made up of women and men of integrity with sound minds have all it takes to know what the facts are. More importantly, your Local Government is represented in that 7th Assembly and the member representing the Local Government can always protect your interest.
“I have received letters from the aggrieved affected Communities, i will study the letters carefully and make an executive summary for the Governor.
We will not allow what the facts are to be unturned”.
The Governor’s representative thanked the Youths of Owaza for organizing themselves peacefully to articulate their grievances and assured them that government will do the needful.
Earlier, the spokespersons of the group Mr Ekeleme Ebere and Nwagbara Alwell said they came to make clarification regarding the number of oil wells in the area, adding that Igiriukwu autonomous community is the highest oil producing community followed by Isietitioha,Ipu West,Etitioha,Isimiri and Ipu South autonomous communities respectively.
