By Emma ARUBI

WARRI – THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s, proposed oil and gas pipelines right-of-way, ROW, running through Edo Rivers and Delta states, has pitched the royal family of Igbuku kingdom against some community indigenes in Delta.

This comes as it was gathered that some persons outside the royal family of Ekegu, are allegedly negotiating compensation for damages with some families in Aboh and Umu-Osusu.

They therefore, cautioned the management of NNPC to tread with great care and be properly guided so as not to allow anything to frustrate the Federal Government’s project.

In an open letter to the Group Managing Director, NNPC, community representatives urged “NNPC to be conscious of fraudsters, oppressors and manipulators/tenants roving about in Igbuku land and beyond.”

The letter signed by Prince Mike Obiafuwa Enebeli, claiming to be the authorized royal Co-ordinator/Secretary of the Ekegu family and Negotiation Committee (EFNC), detailed the true position of things and ownership of all the affected land

Enebeli, an activist and the Odogwu 1 of Igbuku kingdom, further swore to a six paragraph affidavit in a Warri High Court on October 18, 2013.

The letter read in part: “We unanimously call and warn NNPC  to tread with caution and be conscious of fraudsters, oppressors and manipulators roving about in Igbuku land and beyond, and who may want to violently and oppressively lay false and criminal claims to lands/territories in Igbuku kingdom that does not belong to them neither their families.

“That it should be noted that we, the Ukwani and indigenous  people of Igbuku kingdom, the Royal Ekegu family…in Ndokwa East Council of Delta State, are the aborigines, legitimate and traditional owners/founders of the entire Igbuku land comprising the oil and gas rich and swampy Udaba or Oko land upon which the … R.O.W and others are situated….”

The letter also noted that NNPC representatives/team have allegedly been holding meetings/negotiations with some unaccredited persons without their knowledge.

It further listed the accredited representatives of the EFNC for such negotiations to include; Evangelist Matthew Omasanuwa, Engr. Nwabuzor Nwanegbu Chief Paul Eke, Prince Mike Enebeli, and Comrade Ifeanyi U.Opene and their lawyers.