The people of Azama, Enikorogha, Tebujor and Opuedebubor communities under Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State have threatened shutting down operations of Nigeria Gas Company, NGC in their area, adding that if NGC does not restore power outage that have affected the communities for the past 10 months the shutting down will be no going back.
Speaking on behalf of the Four affected communities, spokesman (FIYEWEI) of GBARAMATU KINGDOM, Chief Godspwer Gbenekama, JP quipped that NGC gave generator to Azama/Enikorogha and Tebujor/Opuedebubor communities with intent of supplying diesel to power the generators but have refused supplying diesel to power the generators after 10 months despite the generators being in good conditions at the various communities.
He pointed out that NGC had assured that they will construct a gas turbine to supply electricity before the Yuletide season but could not do so, noting that the people are suffering being in darkness and subjected to pains and oppression by NGC.
The Gbaramatu spokesman (FIYEWEI) expressed dismay over the treatment given to their youths for protesting earlier, saying that the youths were almost shot at by security personnel at NGC location where pipelines repairs were being effected by NGC, according to him it could have resulted into a serious crisis if not for the prompt intervention from leaders of the Kingdom the youths had threatened to stop the repair work if the communities light was not restored by NGC.
He disclosed that the communities chairmen have written several letters to appeal to the company to do something urgent but no attention was given by their correspondences to Nigeria Gas Company, NGC hence the next looming action is to “shutdown and destabilize NGC if they do not restore light to these affected communities”. He added.
Chief Gbenekama on behalf of the communities however handed down 3-days ultimatum to NGC to restore electricity by supplying diesel to power the affected communities generators neglected by Nigeria Gas Company during the Christmas season or prepare to enjoy total shutdown of all their operations in that area.