Following a recent threat to shutdown operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Egbema Kingdom by a group ‘General Creek Mandate”, the Executive Chairman of Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), Ambassador Jude Ebitimi Ukori has called on all groups issuing threat statements to Chevron Nigeria Limited in Egbema Kingdom to eschew violence and embrace dialogue.
Ukori who made this known in a statement yesterday said, the EGCDF remains the constituted authority representing the interest of the communities, saying dialogue remains the globally accepted means of agitating for ones rights.
“As the constituted authority which represents the interest of the communities, we are working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to ensure that all germane issues raised by various interest groups are addressed.
“We can discuss and deal with all issues raised by our people with Chevron Nigeria Limited without issuing ultimatum. I quiet appreciate that expectations are high but it should not be made worse by creating tensions in the Kingdom.
“I promise to take germane issues in the most civil manner and therefore those issuing threat should stop forthwith”.
According to Ukori, the GMoU since it’s creation has performed tremendously well in the area of infrastructural and human capital development as well as peace building.
“In spite of the above positive contributions by the CNL GMoU operated by EGCDF it suffice not to say that all is completely well with the communities. We plead with aggrieved persons to follow the appropriate channels of peaceful dialogue rather than issuance of threats”, he advised.
