By FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI — Angered by their alleged marginalisation in the OPL 283 bloc, the people of Iwevbo community, Orhionwon Local Government Area, Edo State, have withdrawn their membership of the Orogho Dukedom.

The community in a letter addressed to the Managing Director, Newcross Petroleum Limited, explained that as one of the host communities to OPL 283 bloc.

They had formed a union called Orogho dukedom under a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, entered between the communities and the company under the headship of Enogie of Orogho.

Lawyer to the community, Mr. I.  Onokowhake, in the letter, explained that Orogho Dukedom also constituted a Project Advisory Committee to oversee the implementation and execution of projects in the various communities.

“The Iwevbo community held a meeting on the activities of the Orogho Dukedom and the Project Advisory Committee in relation to your company’s operations on their land.

“Members of Iwevbo community were gravely dissatisfied with the activities of parties and had resolved to withdraw their membership of Orogho Dukedom and the Project Advisory Committee with immediate effect.”

The community noted that in June 2013, its accredited representatives granted power of attorney to Mr. Sunday Efekomaraye, Chief James Iyafe, Chief Joseph Ukueku, Mr. David Aghwefiada, Mr. Austin Eyimofe, Mr. Emmanuel Etakerhime and Mr. Edafe Edafetite to represent them in dealings with the company and any other company after the expiration of the existing MoU in September, 2013 in all matters relating to OPL 283 bloc in the community.

The community insisted on September, 2013 termination date of the current MoU, adding that it still recognises the ‘Enogie’ of Orogho as the traditional ruler of all the communities within the Orogho Dukedom, but that “Iwevbo community is an autonomous community headed by an ‘Odionwere’ and his ‘Ogwa’-in-council.