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Delta plans workshop on ethnic crises
By Uwakwe Abugu
Bureau Chief, Warri
In a bid to find lasting solution to the
problem of ethnic crisis in the state and across the Niger Delta , the Delta
Sate Government is planning a stakeholders’ workshop on ethnic conflicts
in the Niger Delta and the operation of multinational companies in the region.
The event billed for the conference
centre of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, between September 5 and 7
is coming on the heels of passionate appeals by the out-going Managing Director
of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Chris Finlayson, and his
deputy, Mr. Joshua Udofia, to the Niger Delta people to restore Warri’s
past glory and other parts of the region.
The workshop which is being organised by
the state Commissioner for Special Duties (Ethnic Relation and Conflict
Resolutions), Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay, will be chaired by the Akwa Ibom State
Governor, Obong Victor Attah. The Delta Governor, Chief James Ibori is the
chief host, while the Minister for Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo,
will be the special guest of honour as well as all the South South governors
who have been designated guests of honour.
According to Macaulay, the three-day
workshop has three objectives: To sensitise the multinational companies to
jettison their plans to downsize their workforce or relocate from Delta State;
to elicit public opinion on the activities of the multinational companies
operating in the area; and to educate communities on the need to adopt more
appropriate strategies in demanding that opportunities be given to them to
participate in the development of their areas.
According to a statement from the
commissioner’s office, the workshop is another step aimed at
consolidating the gains of the present peace efforts of the state government
which have ushered in some measure of peace in the Warri areas.
Meanwhile, Shell chiefs - Finlayson and
Udofia - during the week appraised their operations vis-à-vis the crises
that have plagued Warri areas where the oil firms do a substantial part of
their business.
Finlayson, who spoke at a send-forth
party organised for Udofia in Warri, said: “I think that our safety
record still does not lead where we aspire to be. We have continued to have too
many work-related fatalities, and despite the sterling efforts of the security
forces, we have suffered from a level of bunkering and the crime that goes with
that.”
He appealed for better understanding from
the communities to enable the company operate in a better atmosphere.
Udofia, who was honoured for his new
appointment and posting to London, recalled the good old days when Warri was
crisis-free and harmony was the order of the day.
He explained that he first came to Warri
in 1972 “and I was surprised at one thing because Warri was one town that
didn’t sleep. I have been to many places and by that time, Warri never
slept.
“As a bachelor, you could go on
night outings even till 2 a.m and walk the length and breadth of the
Warri/Sapele Road and there will be people there.
“It is actually unfortunate that we
are losing that special glory of Warri. It is my prayer that all of you will do
whatever you can to restore peace that was actually there in Warri in those
days,” he stated.
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