Ijaw, Itsekiri agree on EPZ groundbreaking

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, of Delta State, Wednesday, brokered a truce between Ijaw and Itsekiri nationalities over the $16 billion Delta Gas City project.

Chairman of Ogidigben Export Processing Zone Committee, Mr Austin Oboroegbeyi, Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekema and Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC , Mr David Ige, confirmed that the controversy had been laid to rest.

Mr Oboroegbeyi told journalists at the end of the meeting presided over by Governor Uduaghan that the two nationalities have agreed on separation of the project - Gas city in Ogidigben and Deep Sea Port in Gbaramatu.

He confirmed that the meeting was successful while Chief Gbenekema corroborated his statement that the both sides have agreed that the projects  be separated as proposed by NNPC.

He said the terms of settlement would be conveyed to the president by the relevant officials after which a date for the groundbreaking would be approved.

He said, 'Both nationalities agreed that there will be peace.'

Mr Ige said it was true that the matter has been resolved, saying the resolution would be conveyed to the presidency for necessary action.

He stated that the two projects were interwoven as one cannot exist without the other. – Vanguard.