Steer clear of Orient Petroleum, Anambra youths warn Kogi, Enugu states

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA -THE youth wing of Association of Anambra Town Unions, ASATU, yesterday warned Kogi and Enugu states, which are laying claims to the oil deposits in Anambra State to steer clear of the newly-commissioned Orient Petroleum at Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area or be prepared for a showdown.

Rising from a meeting in Awka, the youths said, it amounted to bad blood for the two states to want to reap from where they did not sow.

The youths described as unfortunate, a situation wherethe two states waited while successive administrations in Anambra State made effective investments towards the realisation of Orient Petroleum, only to show up when success had been achieved.

President of the association, Mr. Osita Ozalagba, said what was needed in the area after many years of toiling by the people of Anambra State to realise the project was peace and urged agitators not to distract the company and its operations.

The association also urged youths in Aguleri Otu, where Orient Petroleum is situated not to allow violence to defeat the economic benefits, assuring that Anambra youths would assist in ensuring adequate security of lives and property in the area.

“It is on record that successive administrations in Anambra State had sacrificed and invested greatly towards the success story of Orient Petroleum and it is therefore, surprising that these two states (Kogi and Enugu) suddenly woke up from their slumber to begin to lay claims to what is not theirs. Our humble advice to the two states is for them to mobilise their resources towards striking oil in their own land instead of playing the role of meddlesome interlopers.”