By Godfrey Bivbere

The host community of the proposed new refinery in Lagos and its surrounding communities have distanced themselves from recent reports in the media about opposition to the project.

Their position was made known at a meeting between the traditional rulers,  leaders and land owners and the management of Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, the owners of the project held at the project site on Friday.

Chief Lamina Akinsode, Baale of Agalutu-Ajebo, spokesman for the 16 Baales who were physically present,  including that of Irede,   Baale Alade, said they are very disappointed with the reports because at no time had they sat to agree on any letter to be written against the planned refinery for which construction was yet to commence.

Akinsode noted that they expected any aggrieved person or community to go through the right channel as the project would be beneficial to not just the host community of Komaro Island but all the surrounding communities.

He reminded the gathering that two other companies had earlier been to the same site making promises without doing anything only to pack their belongings and disappeared.

He warned that Integrated Oil and Gas may follow the same part if given a reason to do so.

Similarly,  the representative of the palace of all Communities, Komolade Onisiwo, distanced the palace from the said letter, warning all to be careful about their actions.

He said the Regent,  Olori (the Olori-ebi), who presides over the affairs at the palace until a new king is crowned, sent them to the meeting to inform the management of Integrated Oil and Gas  that they are fully in support of the project.

Furthermore,  representative of the land owners, Chief Omotolani Oyewole Onisiwo, described those behind the purported letter as those who do not want the well being of the generality of people of the kingdom.

On his part, the Baale of Irede expressed regret about is involvement in the purported letter,  stressing that he did not know to which use it was to be used for.

Responding,  Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas,  Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, who expressed his disappointment about the media report,  wondered why report should be coming out at a time when the company has not publicly announced the project.