Governor Peter Obi of Anambra
State wept on Wednesday as he visited communities that were ravanged by
flood in his State. He was accompanied by officials from both Federal
and State Emergency Management Agencies. The communities are Ossomala,
Ochuche, Umuodu, Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizor and Atani in Ogbaru Local
Governemnt Area and Oroma Etiti, Ezi-Anam, (Umuikwu and Umudora),
Umuenwelum, Umueze-Anam, Umuoba-Anam, Nmiata, Innoma, Ukwalla, Owelle,
Igbedor, Odekpe, Odemagu, Nzam and Igbokenyi in Anambra West.
At both Local Governments,
Governor Obi consoled with the affected communities and assured them
that the State would stand by them at a period he described as
“hopeless for them”.
After visiting the affected
communities, the Governor, in a broadcast to the State expressed shock
at what he discovered. His words: “The level of devastation suffered
by these communities is much more than what we were even told.
Numerous farms were destroyed and washed ashore, while houses were
submerged in the flood. Closer to the banks of the River Niger on
Ogbaru area, the over-flowing river has also caused a dangerous
coastal erosion that has made the relocation of those living within the
affected axis a necessity.”
Though he said that the State
Government had taken immediate measures within her capacity, he called
on the Federal Government to intervene by declaring the affected
local Governments flood disaster areas and embarking on measures to
manage the situation and save lives and property of these communities
from further devastation.
In another broadcast, he
expressed shock at the claims by some groups and States to the oil field
discovered in Anambra State. He wondered why the claims started after
the successful commissioning of Orient Petroleum facilities by the
President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan when he visited Anambra State on the
30th of August.
Tracing the formation of Orient
to Anambra, he said “It is pertinent to recall that Orient Petroleum
Resources Plc was formed during the Government of Dr. Chinwoke
Mbadinuju in 2001 and allocated oil fields domiciled in Anambra
State. The Board is peopled by prominent Nigerians of Anambra
extraction such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Chairman), Dr. Alex Ekwueme
(Vice-Chairman) and Chief Arthur Mbanefo, among others. Its
management is led by Engr. Emeka Nwawka.”
He added that “Though Dr.
Mbadinuju did not make any direct monetary contribution, under Dr.
Chris Ngige (2003-2006), Anambra State Government invested the sum of
N100 Million naira (N100 Million) in the project.”
Continuing, Governor Obi
remarked: “under our Government (between 2006-2009), Anambra State,
with the vision and belief in the positive impact of the project on the
economy of the State and country, invested, directly and indirectly,
the sum of Four Billion, Four Hundred million Naira (N4.4 Billion),
which bolstered the confidence of other investors to invest in the
venture that made its commissioning a reality.
Whilst my predecessors never
visited the site, I personally laid the foundation of the refinery. I
have also visited the site severally since 2006, without any group or
State interfering in its ownership as is now the case following the
announcement of drilling of oil there.
It is also pertinent to note
that till date, neither the grousp nor the States laying claim to the
oil field have, directly or indirectly, invested a kobo in the
project, while Anambra State and her people have invested several
billions.
Let me at this juncture state
that Anambra State believes in good neighbourliness and will, in
conformity with our nature, always admire and celebrate other States
which may become producers of oil or any other mineral resource in the
future. However, we believe that people’s hardwork, sacrifices and
investment should be allowed to match their opportunities.
Anambra State will remain a
good neigbour and will continue to pray for oil to be discovered in
other States so that Nigeria will emerge an economic giant in the
comity of nations in the world,” Obi concluded