Ogheneruona Tejiri, Warri
House of Representatives has assured that they would be fair to hear from all concerned in their determined bid to ensure the crisis in Okuama Community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is brought to an end.
This assurance was given by Hon. Babajimi Benson, Chairman, House Committee on Defence while addressing journalists at Governor’s Office Annexe, Warri during their public hearing
Hon. Benson led other members of the Committee to a public hearing on the carnage that occured in Okuama Community in Delta State that led to the death of 17 soldiers and alleged subsequent reprisal destruction of almost all the buildings in the Community and killing of innocent people that are now homeless by soldiers.
The Committee convened last Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the Governor’s Office Annexe, Warri, the sitting was not attended by the Community people
It could be recalled that the public hearing was in line with the 10th Assembly House of Representatives’ Resolution of March 19, 2024.
The Resolution was prompted by the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers in the Okuama Community.
Hon. Benson disclosed that the Committee had so far received about 23 memorandum from stakeholders.
Accordng to Hon. Benson, “we came to see members of the community in camera and by way of memorandum. We have received a lot of memorandum from them but they have not turned up physically.
“We have gotten enough memorandum and we intend to work with the memorandum. Though, the window is opened till Friday next week, so we are still expecting more from them.
“We have assured everyone including Delta State Government that the House of Representatives will ensure the matter is looked into from both sides and come to a logical conclusion.
“That is why we are asking them to send memorandum and they are complying. We gave them a week and the period will elapse Friday next week.
“If you do not want to show up, please send us your documents so that we will be able to act on them and get to a logical conclusion.”
Hon. Benson said that the Committee was fully ready to ensure that justice was served on the matter.
Responding to a question, the Chairman, House Committee on Defence said that the Committee could not visit the troubled Okuama Community adding that the activities of the committee regarding the crisis had not ended.
He further disclosed that the Committee would visit the people of the Community and also invite the military to give account of what happened at the community.
Hon. Benson added, “we are definitely going to meet the people of the community but we are going to arm ourselves with information”.
Rev. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House is a member of the Committee.
