Chevron, Kokodiagbene Meeting Deadlocked

The meeting between Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL and Kokodiagbene community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State at the instance of the state government yesterday was deadlocked.

The meeting was called to broker peace between the oil company and its host community who demanded that the community should be powered by CNL while the latter insisted that if they do it other communities around would make such demand.

While the Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade insisted that the community is running out of patience owing to the fact that CNL is playing game with the community, while CNL is saying the community should wait for FG/NNPC Gas Turbine Project so that they can connect the community.

The Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade outlined their demands to include electricity, portable water, payment of royalty and sand filling of the town.

He lamented that CNL sent junior officers to the meeting in order to buy time, has refused to extend light to its host community pointing out that if nothing was done soon, there will be breakdown of law and order.

But the representative of CNL, Mr Tony Emegere stated that the company does not have enough turbine to extend light to Kokodiagbene stressing that if their demand was met other communities will agitate for their..

He gave assurance that the company would work in line with agreement reached with its host communities.

Meanwhile, the State Government has pledged to ensure that all Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between oil companies and host communities were implemented without breach of peace.

The State Deputy Governor, Barr Kingsley Otuaro assured while speaking at a peace meeting between the officials of CNL and leaders from Kokodiagbene Community, noting that government would exhaust peaceful means in the resolution of crisis as no meaningful progress can be in an atmosphere of anarchy and violence.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Hon Festus Agas commended the people of Kokodiagbene for their peaceful disposition in pressing home their demands and assured them that government will prevail on CNL to do the needful for the overall good of both parties.

Barr Otuaro advised both parties to review their positions as a stepping stone to arriving at an amicable resolution that would engender peace and development.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Petroleum,, Hon Bosin Ebikeme described the meeting as timely and charged the State Government to meet with top management of ÇNL in finding lasting solution to the issue.