Ondo inaugurates body for restive oil community
By Friday Omosola
After over four years of crisis, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has brokered peace in oil producing Ugbo community in Ilaje local government area. It has inaugurated 56 members of Ugbo Development Congress (UDC).
Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Honourable Lucky Aiyetadiwa, said where there is disunity there be no meaningful development, adding that affliction would not arise again in the community as all belligerent factions have agreed to work together.
The inaugurated 56-member of Ugbo Development Congress (UDC) was headed by Mr. Benson Obayelu, the Ugboland Council of Obas and the Council of Chiefs. While describing Ugboland as a rich and blessed oil community, Governor Akeredolu said its people cannot afford coming together as one to achieve a meaningful development.
He said: “The bringing of traditional rulers together will contribute to ease of administration. We will continue to support you where necessary to ensure the noble move is sustained and improved upon.”
“Ugbo-Land, no doubt is a pride of Ondo State, not only because some of the prominent achievers of the State hail from the land, but for the fact that the reason the State is an Oil Producing State today is because the communities within UgboLand are blessed with Oil and Gas resources which incidentally is the major contributor ( about 80% ) to Nigeria’s revenue”.
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While commending the people, Governor Akeredolu said his administration will continue engaging, supporting where neces- sary to ensure the set objectives of the ideas are sustained and improve upon where necessary.
However, he harped on the need for collaboration between security agencies and traditional rulers in the area for the security of the people.
Akeredolu who said Ilaje local government was home of cultist activities, implored parents to warn speak their wards to desist from the act, saying if catches by the law, it will be unpleasant. The Traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the oil rich Ugboland in llaje who embraced the peace said the age long brouhaha had hindered development in the community despite possessing huge oil and gas deposits.
