There is disagreement in Aggah community, Ebgema Clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, between the Paramount ruler of the community and flood-affected individuals in the area over Nigeria Agip Oil Company’s, NAOC’s, contract.
Some residents of the area, who have experienced annul flooding for 50 years, have accused their paramount ruler of conniving with some staff members of Agip to deliver substandard project to them.
A group in the area, the Egbema Voice of Freedom (EVF) is leading the conflagration against the monarch.
But, the paramount ruler of the community, High Royal Highness, Eze Ignatius Ekezie, however, in a swift reaction denied the allegation, stating that the EVF was working to stop development in the community.
Speaking, Elder Martin Obioha, who commended Agip for accepting to resolve the problem in the community, urged them to ensure the job is achieved.
Obioha said: “We thank Agip for accepting to come and remedy the situation. All of the people who are disturbed by the flood are out here thanking Agip for the effort. We are calling on you to ensure the job is achieved.
“But, we are worried over the activities of some people in Agip and in our community who are working to sabotage this effort by Egbema Voice Forum.
Meanwhile, Eze Ekezie, noted that EVF has refused to work with the community in the process, adding that the group was working to chase away the contractor that has already mobilised to site.
He said: “They are telling lies in all those claims. They are behaving like an autonomous community. It is not bad they attracted the process. The contractor has even mobilized to site. Work is about to commence.”
