From Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Nigeria Gas Company NGC Limited, during the weekend, vowed to reclaim its gas pipeline right of way from encroachers who have already built house or are farming on them.
While appealing for cooperation from its host communities, NGC said encroachment on its pipeline right of way is a criminal offence punishable under the laws of the land.
The Managing Director of NGC, Warri, Engr Seyi Omotowa, made this vow at the Palace of HRH, Zaiki Anslem Edonojie, the Ojuromi of Uromi kingdom, Esan North-East, Edo State, during a sensitization campaign on dangers of encroachment of gas pipeline right of way and vandalism.
Omotowa said encroachment on pipeline right of way and vandalism lead to lost of lives, property and the destruction of the natural environment.
He observed that the need to embark on the sensitization campaign was necessitated by obvious encroachment on gas pipeline right of way in most of their host communities.
He stated that the reclamation of its pipeline right of way from those who have already encroached on the land was to avoid lost of life.
While soughting for cooperation of the host communities at ensuring that NGC facilities in their areas were not encroached on and vandalised, the MD who was represented by Mr Darlington Samuel, the Public Affairs Manager of NGC, Warri, appealed to the monarch of Uromi kingdom to prevail on his subjects who have already developed on pipeline right of way to remove such structures.
He said, “You will agree with me that life is the most expensive thing on earth because it is irreplaceable. You can replace properties but you cannot replace life.
“This is why NGC, the NNPC and the Federal Government, having seen the need to preserve life, have decided that NGC should go round its host communities to tell them about the dangers involved in pipeline encroachment and vandalism. This is why we are here.”
Speaking on behalf of the monarch of Uromi kingdom, Chief Innocent Ehichioya, the Esele of Uromi kingdom assured management of NGC that the leadership of all the host communities will cooperate with them.
He said, “We the entire Chiefs of Uromi kingdom will take this your message to our people. We are going to relate this message to our people in all communities in Uromi kingdom. You have told us about the dangers involved in building houses or farming along gas pipelines right of way and we are going to tell our people because we don’t want anyone to die because a pipeline is passing through our communities.
“His Royal Highness, the Ojuromi of Uromi kingdom has told me to tell you that we are going to work closely with NGC to ensure that all your facilities are protected.”
Some of the Uromi chiefs who were on ground to receive the management of the NGC include; “Chief Idemudia Okaka, the Onogbosele of Uromi, Chief Hamilton Ibadin, the Ibadin of Uromi kingdom, Chief Ali Amna, the Ojiezele of Uromi kingdom, Chief Patrick Ebason, the Atanakpa of Uromi kingdom.
Others are; Chief Ephrime Ibadan, the Eholor of Uromi kingdom, Chief Patrick Erhoan, the Esor of Uromi kingdom, Chief Garrick Ebi, the Ewelle of Uromi kingdom, Chief (Mrs) Azeke, the Onojiemiekpena of Uromi kingdom and Gregory Omonkhobho, Palace Secretary, Uromi kingdom.
The enlightenment campaign train thereafter went on a road show round some communities in Uromi kingdom.
