By Ochuko Akuopha

OLEH—COM-MUNITY Development Advocacy Foundation, CODAF, yesterday, blamed the abandonment of the Export Processing Zone,  EPZ, project, Ogidigben, in Delta State on disagreements between the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities over the ownership of the project site.

Speaking at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, during the Second Niger Youth Environmental Summit organised by CODAF, Mr. Fred Nohwo, in a goodwill message, lamented that the project had become history, noting:  “The attitude of ‘I own the land and therefore, must benefit most’ came to play.

“This is an ideology that constantly seeks to shove long time neighbours away from the dinning table, just because there is a minor difference in language despite  centuries of inter-marriage and cultural intercourse.

“Today, the communities that ought to host the project lost out. We must learn to be our brother’s keeper.”