By Sunday Apah - Ughelli
WOMEN of Iwevbo community, Orhionwo Local Government Area, Edo State, on Sunday staged a protest against the neglect of the community by Newcross Petroleum Limited, an oil company operating in the area.
The protesting women, who displayed placards that bore inscriptions such as “Newcross, grant us our wishes”, “John Palmer must go”, “Newcross, deal with Mr. Sunday Efekomaraye”, among others, noted that the community was yet to feel the presence of the company since the commencement of its oil exploration in the area.
They disclosed that the Iwevbo community had donated power of attorney to Mr. Sunday Efekomaraye, Chief James Iyafe, Chief Joseph Ukweku, Mr. David Agwefiada, Mr. Austin Eyimofe, Mr. E Etakperhime and Edafe Edafetite to represent the community with Newcross Petroleum Limited or any other company upon the termination of an MoU dated September 30, 2013 in respect of all matters relating to OPL 283 block in the community.
The women maintained that the aforementioned had been mandated “to negotiate with and receive on behalf the community any compensation or damages that may be paid by Newcross Petroleum Limited or any company upon the termination” of the said MoU. During the protest, the women leaders, Mrs. Esther Atakemre and Mrs. Faith Efemuaye, urged the company to award scholarship to indigent students from the community; embark on the installation of borehole facilities and power supply; award contracts /jobs to graduates from the community; building of health centre and market in the community and the building and furnishing of classrooms in the proposed secondary school site. They explained that Iwevbo, as an autonomous community, recognizes the Enogie of Orogho as the traditional ruler of the entire communities within the Orogho Dukedom, adding that the Iwevbo community is headed by Chief Eyimofe, the Odionwere and his Ogwa-in-council.
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