SHELL, COMMUNITY ON WARPATH OVER GMOU

Port Harcourt - Rivers State Government has been called upon to intervene in the disagreement between the Rumuokwurusi community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, over a General Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, to avert a breakdown of law and order in the area.

Leaders in the community told newsmen, weekend, in Port Harcourt, that three of the four sections of the area had been excluded from the GMoU signed with the company.

Chairman of the community's Town Council, Mr. Ezebunwo Orianwo, said the council was not ready for any crisis, explaining that it was because of this that the council wanted Shell to ensure equity in the implementation of the arrangement.

Orianwo said: 'There is need for the government to prevail on the oil company to ensure that all sections of the community are fully represented in the GMoU. This is to avoid pitching the people against themselves as well as ensuring the stability of Shell operations in the area.'

Leader of the youths in the area, Mr. Enwuruzuike Chime, said the youths were currently agitated over the seeming 'partiality in the implementation of the understanding,' adding 'what is going on now amounts to divide and rule.'