Ondo communities threaten to shut down oil activities

Oil producing communities in Ondo State have threatened to shut down oil activities in the state over the dissolution of oil committees mainly in Ilaje council.

They noted that the state government under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) does not have any roles to play in the composition and dissolution of the committees on oil activities.

The communities representing the three classifications of the oil producing areas said they would resist the state government’s undue interference.

According to them, if the state government does not rescind its decision to dissolve oil related committees, they would shut down all oil activities and ensure that the state suffers economic crisis.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye had last week announced the dissolution of oil communities.

But the communities including: Ogungbeje, Ayetoro, Oretan, Obe-Nla, Ode Ugbo, Lepe, Ojumole, Ikorigho, Yonre, Beku, Odunoyinbo, Ugbonla and Erunona among others, said government’s action would engender crisis in the communities.

Speaking in Akure yesterday, President of Coastline Integrity Forum of Ugbo-Ilaje, Wole Ogungbeje, Secretary and Publicity Secretary, Samuel Ebiwanon and Dapo Ojajuni, respectively, the group warned the government to steer clear of their association or face the wrath of the people.

They said government’s action in appointing officers into the board of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and the dissolution of oil committees was like pitching its tent with the Mahin and Ese-Odo people against Ugbo Kingdom.

“If Ugbo Kingdom does not have a place of priority in this government, we are going to put everything on hold. We will make sure that the multinationals will not listen to Governor Akeredolu.

“He should know that any issue that borders on oil is on the exclusive list. If the state cannot resolve this, we will have no alternative than to fall back to Federal Government,” the group said.