Imo oil community protests over exploitation by exploration company

The Umuokoroka kindred of Asa community of Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State, Saturday protested against the exclusion of the community in signing of the agreement called Freedom To Operate (FTO) and Job Order by an oil company, operating in Asa community, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited with some Town Union leaders.

Speaking to newsmen, the oldest man of Umuigwe kindred, that make up Umuokoroka, Chief Celestine Azuoma Orji noted that they agreed with the oil company to lease their land for the exploration of oil only for the company to deceive them into signing a document that purported that the landlords of Umuokoroka have sold their lands.

The 80-year old man hinted that the oil company connived with some members of Town Union leaders to scheme them out of the process of signing of the FTO and Job Order.

“The oil company, through her Community Relations Manager with the  some members of the Town Union leaders  went and signed the Freedom To Operate (FTO) without the landowners and suddenly started the Rigging process in the site”.

“They also signed the Job Order without the inputs of landowners and the kindred contact person. “How can the kindred of Umuigwe and Umuodu which make up Umuokoroka kindred be excluded from the process of the Rig which comes with a lot of job opportunities”.

“Few members of the Town Union leaders took the juicy part of the contract and left the community and principal landowners with nothing. “We call on government to intervene and stop the process until all interventions are concluded”.

Another oldest man from Umuodu, making up of Umuokoroka, Chief David Ogbuanu who was represented during the protest by Joel Emezuo urged the government of Hope Uzodimma to stop the Rigging process until the principal landowners are part of the signing of the FTO and see the contents of the Job Order.

“The Job Order determines the authentic owners of the lands. The principal landowners cannot be shortchanged by few elements of Town Union leaders. “We call on our people-oriented and compassionate Governor Hope Uzodimma to wade in and fish outside the elements from the Town Union leaders who have sabotaged the agreement of the community. We cry to Government to save us from the arm twisting of the oil company and stop all processes until the principal landowners are carried along in the exercise”.

Efforts made to reach out to the Community Relations Manager of Waltersmith proved abortive as he could not pick his calls neither did he respond to text and WhatsApp message sent to him to get his own version as at the time of filing in the story.