By Emma Amaize, Asaba

Delta State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, has said the state government would continue  its robust engagement with communities in the state in its quest to build a ‘Stronger Delta’.

Otuaro stated this while fielding questions from newsmen at Asaba, the state capital, shortly a meeting with Egbema Leaders of Thought, who came from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area.

The deputy governor noted that the meeting with the Egbema leaders touched on the developmental needs of the people and how they could  be an integral part of the ongoing Oil Mining License to be issued by the Federal government.

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“Egbema kingdom in Warri North local government is one of those major oil and tas kingdoms in the state and we have so far had some far reaching understanding to mutually pursue the objectives”.

“It is government understanding that issues will always arise whether  it is developmental or political. And as a government, we have always proposed that the way out to solving all of these issues is to always engage the people through dialogue and ensuring that we are on the same page in achieving that which we have billed to achieve”. Barr. Otuaro stated.

Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of the delegation, commended Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa for taking the lead in projecting the interest of the marginalised people of the Niger-Delta on the issue of the marginal fields and other similar issues.

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He said  that the people of Egbema kingdom have suffered continous adverse consequences from the oil production in the are.

Ukori disclosed the kingdom was  demanding 25 per cent equity holdings in the marginal oil field for host communities, adding: “It does not need a constitutional amendement to go through , but a sense of judgement and political will on the side of government.’

He said  other demands included Egbema representation in the on-going discussions on the marginal fields and  related issues of development at the state and national levels.

He added that this would  assuage the youth, who were already agitated and running out of patience.

He appealed to the state government to address the political marginalization of Egbema people by having one of their own in the state Executive Council and emergence of the next Chairman of Warri North from Egbema, after 26 years.

Vanguard