By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Abiaziem Town Development Union, ATDU, in Oguta Local Government Area, of Imo State, on behalf of the people of the community, has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Executive Chairman of the LGA to urgently intervene over the issue between them and the ANTAN Oil Company.
They stated that the issue is becoming chaotic, and if nothing is done to tackle it, that it may affect the serenity of the community and lead to unlawful acts.
The leaders of the community; former President General of the town union, Mr Chima Awah, Ex-chairman of the ATDU Lagos, and former President of Abiaziem Youth League, Lagos, Gabriel Irogbarachi, Abiaziem Youth President, Okorie Chigozie, Women Leader, Lady Angela Nwosu, Pastor Nnamdi Phillips made the call on Monday while briefing newsmen on the crux of the matter.
Speaking on behalf of the people, Mr Chima Awah narrated, ” ANTAN Oil Company discovered oil deposit in our community, which we were glad for and told them to come to our community, Abiaziem for an official discussion on the next step to take.
“But up till now, they have not showed up because the person claiming to be the traditional Prime Minister connived with one of the traditional rulers in Oguta, for the meeting with the oil company to always be held at the Awa palace, which is another community all together.
“This is not supposed to be so, for even though Abiaziem and Awa share the same autonomy for now, but each of the communities have their distinct and diverse cultural heritage, which handling issue of such nature is part of.
“As we are pushing our own autonomy, we have town union, and elected executives, and so it is not proper that some persons are using the influence they have to manipulate the whole process.
We want to categorically State that Abiaziem Town is NOT part of Awa. We are a distinct and independent Community, temporarily sharing one Autonomous Community status nothing more.
“Abiaziem’s dealings with Atan Oil Company will NEVER be decided at the palace of an Eze in Awa. This is an outright violation of long-established oil industry engagement protocols.
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“ANTAN Oil Company may visit the Eze in Awa purely for courtesy, but all matters affecting Abiaziem must be discussed in Abiaziem with our President General, Youth Leaders, and Women’s Wing, just as is done in Awa for their own affairs.
“We are not an appendage of Awa. We are a full fledged town with our own government, leadership, and voice.
“Our people are not happy with what is happening and so have decided that the oil company agents cannot access the oil in our land until they come and have a former discussion with us.
“This we have made the oil company to know in the last meeting we had at the Awa palace.
“This set of people causing this mayhem when Abiaziem people began the process of seeking for autonomy, left us to do that alone, and now, they are interfering in a matter that is solely to be handled by Abiaziem community.
“We are a very peaceful community and we don’t want anyone to come and be creating internal problems for us, as we don’t want to have break down of law and order in the community, ‘Awah explained.
They therefore called on the Imo State Government, the Oguta LGA Chairman, and security agencies to urgently intervene in the matter so as to protect their people, ensure peace, and prevent lawlessness from taking root.
