KOKO EXPORT FREE ZONE: ELDERS, LEADERS APOLIGISE TO UDUAGHAN OVER PROTEST GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN Leaders of Koko community, led by Chief Victor Nana, has apologised to Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan over what they concede was a misguided protest over the development of Koko Export Free Zone. The community in the last few days organized protests over what they claimed was lack of due process by the state government in acquisition of land for the project, award of contract for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and neglect in appointment into the management board of the EPZ. However, leaders of the community were yesterday invited by Governor Uduaghan to a meeting to brief them and clear up any misunderstanding. Leading the community leaders, Chief Nana repeated the charges that they were not being carried along and that lands were being acquired without knowledge of people in the community. According to Chief Nana “ The cause of the protest was the manner of the acquisition of the land, we tried to contact His Excellency about it but nothing happened and we worried about how things where moving, and we were worried that we might be left high and dry”. Responding Governor Uduaghan rejecting the suggestion that his government did not carry the community in fact, insisted that on the contrary every effort had been made to involve the community and their leaders. Tracing the efforts to setup the EPZ, Governor Uduaghan displaying documents explained that land for the EPZ had been acquired since 2002, following publications in the newspapers by the previous administration for the community to come forward and make claims for compensation but nobody did until a government gazette was published in 2003. He also dismissed their allegation that an EIA contract had been awarded. Governor Uduaghan explained that an EIA was done since last year February and that leaders of the community knew about it and even took photographs with the consultant that handled the project. Photographs were given to them to confirm, which they did. On the claim that a board had been inaugurated, Governor Uduaghan explained that no such board had been put in place and that if such a board were to be put in place the community would have been notified, because as part of the plans of his government 10% equity holding had been set aside for the community. Governor Uduaghan said because leaders of the community were factionalised, the state government was keeping the equity pending when they were able to settle their differences and could form a special purpose vehicle through which they would be recognized when the board is eventually put in place. Governor Uduaghan later directed that the community meet with the commissioners for lands and commerce on to discuss compensation and business opportunities. Overwhelmed by Governor Uduaghan’s explanation, Chief Nana, lamented the turn of events saying: “I regret what has happened and I am sorry. I want you to know that I will not do anything to scandalize your name.”    Recent Events WHEN CHIEF GODSWILL OBIELUM, NDOKWA NATION HOSTED AND ENDORSED GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN FOR 2011, AT THE KWALE TOWNSHIP STADIUM, ON SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010. IMAGES FROM THE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, PRESIDENT, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, OGHARA AND HEADQUARTERS, NAVAL LOGISTICS COMMAND, OGHARA, D3 LAUNCH IN EUROPE: GOVERNOR EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN, GOVERNOR LED A DELEGATION OF OFFICIALS AND EMINENT DELTANS TO GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, TO LAUNCH THE EUROPEAN HUB OF THE DELTA DIASPORA DIRECT (D3) PROGRAMME ON MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010. IMAGES FROM THE MEMORIAL LECTURE AND FOUNDATION LAYING OF MARYAM BABANGIDA WOMEN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, ASABA, HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010. ASK THE GOVERNOR

Photo Gallery | Subscribe to News | News Room | FAQ | Contacts Copyright(c) Government House Asaba, 2007-2010.

Counter Stats

Myspace Layouts