By Francis Sadhere, Warri
Afiesere community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State has issued a stringent seven-day ultimatum for dredgers in the community to vacate the area.
Mr. Richard Ovwreghederhwo, President General of Afiesere, announced the ultimatum on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with dredgers, emphasizing that the community’s decision is irrevocable.
Ovwreghederhwo’s move follows dredging operations that jeopardize essential infrastructure, including bridges and the local health center.
Ovwreghederhwo asserted that public criticisms have heightened government scrutiny and pressured the community into taking action.
“As a result of public outcry on dredging activities in the community, the state government has called us to do the needful to avert any danger.
“Now, We look at it critically and say there is no way this regime will allow this to happen. So based on that We decide to invite all the dredgers in Afiesere land and tell that we are giving all the dredgers in Afiesere land 7 days ultimatum to move all their dredgers out of the land.
“So, the order from the government is that either we do the needful or take responsibility for any mishap. We will not allow this to happen and this is the reason why we decided to call you here to let you know that the Afiesere community is giving all the dredgers 7 days to move all their equipment from our river and our land. There is no Going Back on our decision,” Ovwreghederhwo said.
Responding on behalf of the dredgers, Dr. Anthony Ugbodeme (JP), a dredger operating within the community, expressed strong objections to the directive.
Ugbodeme contends that the one-week notice is inadequate for the safe removal of dredging equipment, citing significant logistical and financial challenges.
He emphasized the detrimental impact on local workers and suppliers dependent on dredging operations for their livelihoods.
Ugbodeme has appealed for an extension of up to one year to allow for financial settlements and a more manageable transition.
“I want to plead with the leaders of Afiesere community that they should extend the time for us because the one week they gave us is too short. We rented the land where we are dredging and some of us we just made payments to the people whom we rented the land from and some of the rents have not expired,” he said.
As tensions rise, the community and dredgers face a complex situation, with implications for both the local economy and infrastructure. The outcome of this dispute will likely have lasting effects on Afiesere’s socio-economic landscape.
