In this interview with Special Correspondent, Sam Akadoro, Comrade Peter Awe, Secretary to Ugborhen-Sapele community in Delta State, explains relationship with Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, an indigenous oil exploration firm, which has its operational base in Sapele. He also explains all they have done in terms of development to the community since they came on board as the current leaders among other challenges they have encountered so far. Comrade Awe appealed to Nigerians particularly Deltans to continue to vote for PDP candidates in the forth coming elections, considering the developmental strides the party has brought to this country. He also dwells on other salient issues during the course of this interview with journalists in Sapele.
Excerpts:
As a community leader in Ugborhen, what has been your challenges since you assumed office?
We have been faced with so many challenges, since we assumed office.Administration of a community is the most difficult activity. We deal with people directly from the grassroots. Honestly we have been facing a lot of challenges in trying to develop the community.
Can we know some of the challenges you are faced with?
Some of them are actually those of youth restiveness. When you are trying hard to develop, some youth could come with agitations, which often times lead to delay in our attempt to execute projects in the community.
Can you mention some of the achievements recorded in your tenure in Ugborhen?
Since we assumed office, we have done a lot of projects. The community has acquired shares in SEPLAT and we have equally trained youths to acquire skills and they have been empowered through the provision of starter packs to start uing their skills. There are some other projects we are_ trying to execute in the community such as the construction of an ultra modern laboratory and classrooms so that the only secondary school we have for now could have more classrooms to accommodate the students since the population is increasing. The community is planning towards this seriously. We cannot wait for government to do it for us alone. Being an oil community, the community has resources with which to tackle some of these problems.
Ugborhen is an oil producing community, has the oil in your community translated into dividends felt among your people?
The company has been executing projects in the community but there had been a total neglect. The last problem we have with SEPLAT was when the community was agitating for the construction of a flow station in the community. But till date, SEPLAT does not have any major facility in our community. They channel our oil to neighbouring communities. I think for a community to have a flow station, the community should be known to have the largest chunk of oil deposit?
Ugborhen community produces over 60 per cent of Seplat Oil daily production and the community is over due to own a flow station. We had an agreement with Shell that they were going to build a flow station before Seplat took over and we hope that understanding subsists, but Seplat reneged on that when they came on board. We thought Seplat will start from where Shell stopped by implementing the gentleman agreement we earlier reached. They said they can not build a new flow station now that the three flow stations they have, their capacities are not yet fully utilised. Meaning the gentleman agreement we had with Shell, Seplat did not abide by it. They disregarded the entire arrangement and that led to series of problems and crisis with them before His Royal Majesty, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom intervened and that issue was put aside for now. They said when the need arises for them to build a flow station, Ugborhen will be the number one community they will consider.
When last did the community empower the last set of skill acquisition beneficiaries, and what other plans have you put in place for another set?
The community is trying to build an ultra modern town hall for the people but we are having the problem of flood during rainy season and erosion washing some parts of the community away. So we are also trying to construct drainages and build the hall for the community which accommodate about 1,000 persons at a time during meetings.
Is there cooperation between your executive and the people of the community?
There has been cooperation from colleagues but the challenges we are having as community leaders for some time now, we are having court. You know, as an oil bearing community, you cannot rule out court cases.
Soon there will be the Presidential election and others, how would you advise Nigerians at this moment in our nation’s history?
The parties clamouring for change are those that have benefited from PDP in the past. Take for instance Amaechi of Rivers State, he came to power through the PDP but he is singing another song. Today he is singing change, change, where is that change coming from? Can his new APC bring about the change? I advise Nigerians to be wise and vote by delivering PDP which has been delivery the dividends of democracy to the people.
As a philanthropist, what has been the driving force behind meeting the needs of the people?
First and foremost, resources are not readily available, yet the little we have, we try to put smiles on the faces of the people. Again, God on our side too, we have been catapulted to the level where we are today, and we do what we are able to do. What we are doing today, it is God that has been my driving force for whatever I am doing for humanity.
Do you have any plan in the near future to vie for any elective position?
Yes, but for now I am a member of PDP, a card-carrying member. But I do not know what the future holds for me. In PDP, I am an active member. I do not have any plan to contest for now. If in the future there is the need for it, I will inform you journalists. We work on God’s direction.
Some people are of the opinion that the country might break up after the February election. What is your take on this.?
In a developing country like ours, when we are having a transition period, there is always tension. We will remain where we are. Nigeria will not break up but would remain one indivisible entity and remain a very strong nation. Nigeria will remain the same. People should be calm and vote for candidates of their choice and shun rigging.
If called upon to be the chairman of Sapele Local Government, having been tested, would you accept such an offer. If yes, what would be your priority programme to your people?
For now, as I said before, I am not prepared to take up any elective position. At the right time, God will direct our ways on what to do for His people. I cannot comment more on that.
Tell us some charitable things you may have done for the people.
From time to time in recent time, I have been visiting Madam Davis Buwa Orphanage Home here in Sapele where I present food and clothing items, including cash to them. God has been using us to assist them. Apart from that, people within my neighbourhood have also benefited one way or the other from gestures too. We have done a lot of things for them.
People have been describing the man Peter Awe as a good man, what has been the magic wand?
First, I think what makes one a good man is relation the people and your benevolent spirit,. That has been the reason why people have been saying that I am a good person.
What is your advise to your people both in Sapele and Ugborhen community?
First and foremost, I want to advise Ugborhen community to vote wisely especially for the party that has been on ground since 1998. The PDP as a party has done well by bringing the country together since then. The people should continue to cast their vote for them_ because they will do more if voted into office again.
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