By Austin Ogwuda
ASABA—UMUSADEGE—Ogbe  community in the Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State has given Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited,  SEEPCO, an oil servicing company, 14 days within which to employ its people and pay appropriate compensations or face its wrath.

Reacting, the company’s Vice-President, Facilities and Logistics, Chief Arvind Mahamuni, said, “we cannot allow any disruption to our operations and such attempts will be dealt with severely.”

The community’s petition, which was signed by the Chairman, SEEPCO Committee, Chief Godwin  Uzoka, and three others, copies of which were also sent to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly State, Police Commissioner, and State Security Director, SSS, among others, drew the attention of the company to its refusal to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community.

The aggrieved community stated that “it is not in doubt that there is conflict between Umusadege and a faction of Beneku family regarding the sharing of benefits from your (company) Okuibome operations.

“You are also aware that the government is attending to this conflict through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security.

“While the conflict is still being attended to, equity demands that your company treat both parties to the conflict equally, instead of recognising one party and totally neglecting the other party.

“Unfortunately your company recognised a faction of Beneku who are Umusadege licenses and neglected your true landlords, Umusadege community.”