By Emma Amaize

WARRI—President of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities, FNDIC, Dr. Bello Oboko, yesterday, faulted the declaration by the chairman of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILoT, Pa J.O. Ayomike, that government had not acquired land for the Gbaramatu Deep Sea Port project, a component of the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project in Delta State.

Oboko in a statement in Warri, said: “Land acquisition document duly signed by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, on November 11, 2013, shows that not less than 335,554 hectares of Kpokpo/Okpeleama land was acquired for the purpose of the Deep Sea Port of the EPZ project in Warri South-West Local Government Area in Delta State.

“With such facts available to various stakeholders, respected Itsekiri leader, Pa Ayomike, should not be saying in a recent newspaper report that land is yet to be acquired for the Deep Sea Port of the $16billion EPZ project.

“Former Governor Uduaghan should share the truth on land acquisitions for the EPZ project in Warri South-West council and hence advance peaceful co-existence. Pa Ayomike and other respected Itsekiri leaders may not be aware that apart from land acquisitions in the Ugborodo area, there were other land acquisitions such as the acquisition of Kpokpo/Okpeleama land specifically for the proposed Deep Sea Port.

“I, therefore, appeal to the Delta State Government to kindly ensure that dwellers of Okpeleama like dwellers of other lands acquired for the EPZ project are made to enjoy proceeds of the EPZ project,” he said.