UBETA GAS PROJECT: Ekpeye Won’t Accept Anything Less Than Gas Treatment Plant, Supreme Monarch Insists
By Passman Akpos
The people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation in Ahoada East and West of Rivers State, Nigeria are insisting that the Ubeta Gas Project by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited proposed to be diverted to Obite in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area is not acceptable.
The declaration was contained in a communique signed by His Imperial Majesty, Eze Sir (Amb) Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo Ph.D, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, Akalaka XII, His Royal Highness, Eze Dr. Chigemerem David, Eze Emene Echi Ubie I, Secretary, Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs and Dr. Michael U. Nyemenim, President General, Uzugbani Ekpeye, on behalf of themselves and the entire Ekpeye people, after a meeting held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the Palace of Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, Ula Upata Community.
The communique which anchored on six points stated that; “The Ubeta Gas Project shall be built at Ubeta Community or elsewhere in Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
“That Ekpeye people will not allow TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited in conjunction with few persons in Ekpeye Ethnic Nation to pipe the Gas to Obite Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Ekpeye people has proscribed all Groups or Individuals discussing or dialoguing with TotalEbergies EP Nigeria Limited as regards to the Ubeta Gas Project.
“All discussion on the Ubeta Gas Project shall be discussed by the People of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
“Igbu Ubie is a part in Ekpeye and all Companies operating in Igbu Ubie, or any other parts of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation shall be answerable to the people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
“TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited shall meet with the people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation to discuss on the issue bordering the exploration of the Gas in Ubeta Community.”
The declaration, according to the communique was not foisted on the people but was taken after much deliberation that followed democratic process, in presence of some Eze Igbus, heads of important traditional, socio-cultural organs, women groups, youths from all the seven kingdoms that make up the ethnic nation.
Some notable individuals it captured their presence were the Eze Igbus such as; “HRM Eze Joshua Eyiba, Eze Igbu Igbuduya II, HRM Eze Dr. Felix Enene Otuwarikpo PhD, Eze Igbu Upata III, represented by HRH Nye Udu Nnodi Micheal, HRM Eze Anderson Egbuluka, Eze Igbu Ugbobi II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, Eze Igbu Orlukwor II.
Others were; “Uzugbani Ekpeye President Genera,l Dr. Michael U. Nyemenim, Ekpeye Youth President, Snr. Comr. Justice Ewoh PhD, the National Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association (EOG), Comrade Dogini Chidi, Vice Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Contact Committee, High Chief (Engr.) Samuel Ekiye and Ada Ekpeye, High Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Patricia W. Ogbonnaya.”
The statement acknowledged the indivisibility of people, anchored on filial cultural heritage and further declared that; “Ekpeye Ethnic Nation is one and all parts of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation is what constitute the people and the place known as Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
“All the stakeholders spoke for the Unity of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.”
It should be noted that a followed up meeting was convened by the Ekpeye National Assembly to get briefing from some critical stakeholders but the concerned persons were said not to have turned up for the meeting.
The non attendance by the stakeholders made the supreme monarch of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Sir (Amb) Ngozi Anugwo Ph.D, AP, JP, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, Akalaka XII, to insist that no treatment plant, no piping of the gas to outside Ekpeye Land.
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