The Iyase (Traditional ruler) of Udo, Ovia South-West local government area of Edo State, Chief Patrick Igbinidu, has urged the people of Imaroghioba community to always honour its agreement with Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc.
Reacting to Wednesday’s attack on the company, the traditional ruler advised the community to avoid unnecessary aggression against the company which could be construed as a breach of their peace agreement.
NAN recalls that the Iyase had in May convened a peace meeting between the Imaroghioba community and Okomu oil palm company when the crisis erupted.
Members of the community had in May demonstrated to protest against the trenches dug by the oil company around its plantation.
The company claimed it dug the trenches in a portion of land belonging to it to stop the incessant thefts of its oil palm fruits.
But, members of the community argued that the action was an infringement on their rights of passage and an oppressive tendency by the company.
The misunderstanding was, however, resolved through a peace meeting convened by the Iyase of Udo, who oversees communities within the locality, including Okomu and Imaroghioba.
The meeting had representatives of the security agencies and other stakeholders in attendance.
Part of the resolutions of the peace agreement was that the digging of the trenches should continue.
Another was that the company should assist the community to create an alternative road in areas where the trenches were seen as obstructions of the road as claimed by the community.
It was also resolved that there should be a neighbourhood security watch to help both the company and the community.
Okomu oil company Communications Officer, Mr Fidelis Olise, told NAN in Benin on Thursday that the community’s attack on its facility was without provocation.
According to him, the damaged excavator was mobilized to create an access road to the community being an aspect of the resolution it reached with the people of the community at the peace meeting.
The Iyase, who confirmed the attack to NAN, said, “I have spoken to the acting Odionwere of Imaroghioba community, Chief Gabriel Ikhuolegbe, to find out what happened.
“Although the acting Odionwere confirmed the incident, he, however, denied that any of the community members were responsible for the damage.
“I have advised him to call his people to order while I am also in liaison with the Iguobazuwa Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to see that incident does not escalate,” he said.
Contacted, the acting Odionwere, who also confirmed the incident to NAN, however, attributed the new disagreement to the manner the constitution of the vigilance group was handled by the company.
He said the vigilance group was dominated by members of a particular tribe, whom he alleged had issues to grind with the youth of the community.
“Most of these people do not have good records in the community, and now they have been recruited as members of the vigilance group.
“They want to use them to oppress our people while they are guarding Okomu oil company personnel.
“This action is not acceptable to our people, hence, the resistance,” he said.
Also contacted, DPO Ade, in a telephone conversation confirmed to NAN that he was briefed on the incident but said, “I am right now in a meeting trying to resolve another matter.”
