Ogidigben EPZ: Itsekiris Want Stakeholders’ Intervention In Crisis

The last has certainly not been heard about the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), as the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) has urged stakeholders, including President Goodluck Jonathan, to resolve the crisis over the multi-billion dollars EPZ in Ogidigben, Delta, to avert escalation.

The youths, led by their President, Mr Esimaje Awani, made the call on Saturday when they besieged the entrance to the palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, chanting songs and displaying placards.

Inscriptions on the placards include “Government, Stop the Marginalisation”, “Nobody Can Stop EPZ Groundbreaking in Ogidigben'', ''Uduaghan Has Betrayed the Itsekiri Nation'' and “EPZ is bigger than Senatorial Ambition”.

The groundbreaking of the EPZ project which was scheduled to be performed by Jonathan on Friday was postponed indefinitely by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources due to suspected security reasons.

Ogidigben where the EPZ is cited is one of the five communities that make up Ugborodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing the crowd in the presence of policemen deployed to ensure law and order, INYC president said that the Federal and Delta Governments had failed the Itsekiri people, alleging that both governments were supporting Ijaw agenda.

He urged the Federal Government to urgently reschedule the groundbreaking ceremony, saying that if that was not done, they would cease to support Jonathan’s re-election bid.

''We are gathered here today to protest the gross marginalisation of Itsekiri people by the Federal Government.

''About six days ago, it was announced that the president will be at Ogidigben to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the EPZ but it was called off.

''If President Jonathan fails to heed to our call to come and perform the ceremony, we will stop supporting him,'' he said.

Awani accused the Ijaws of sabotaging the progress of the Itsekiris, recalling that headquarters of Warri South-West Local Government earlier sited in Ogidigben was relocated to Ogbe-Ijoh because of “greed”.

''We will not fold our hands and allow things to happen in that manner again.

''EPZ is a project that can eradicate poverty in Delta and indeed, Nigeria, so we should not play politics with it,'' he said.