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Warns Against Self Sabotage
BY RITA OYIBOKA
SPECIAL Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Sir (Chief) Edwin Uzor, has called on host communities and resident companies to uphold mutual sincerity, stressing that most of the conflicts between them stem from broken agreements and dishonesty.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Pointer correspondents at his office in the State Secretariat, Asaba, Uzor said his office was determined to ensure peace in the state.
According to him, many investors often renege on agreements reached with their host communities, leading to recurring grassroots unrest.
“The truth is, investors always look for the cheapest way. They enter agreements with communities, then later renege.
“However, the Government is doing its best to ensure they implement the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOUs). Because it is only when you implement it that you’ll be free from grassroots crisis.”
Otherwise, he said, the people will agitate, while outsiders may blame the communities, not knowing that the oil companies have failed to honour agreements,” he explained.
Uzor also warned against what he termed “self-sabotage” by some community representatives, who deliberately misinform their people for personal gains.
“For instance, if the company agrees to give 300 bags of rice for Christmas, the representative may go back and say it’s only 50 bags. If the truth later comes out, crisis will erupt. So my advice is that communities must be sincere. Companies must also be sincere. Once there is dishonesty, there will be problems,” he cautioned.
He disclosed that, since May 29, 2023, his agency has handled over 400 cases of conflict across Delta State.
“I have been here (as Special Adviser) since 2016, and I have managed a lot of crises. The main areas of intervention include land disputes, chieftaincy matters, and youth restiveness.
‘Taking it from May 29, 2023, we have handled over 400 cases. Crisis resolution is a continuous process.
“Sensitisation and workshops are continuous. You don’t say because you’ve resolved one issue, you now go to sleep. No. Once you give room, it will come up again. With the help of the state Governor, Rt. Hon Sherrif Oborevwori, we are doing very well. He directs, advises, and guides us, and with our own expertise, we are also doing our best,” Uzor said.
On the role of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, Uzor noted that, while many monarchs were playing constructive roles, a few were not managing disputes effectively.
“The traditional rulers are doing their best. I can confidently tell you that many of them are helping us a lot. Some are not managing crises in their domain well, and some are even part of the problem. But the majority of them are very helpful. Most of them understand what dispute is, and they also understand the mechanisms we have put in place to get to the true position of matters. So, we are working with them,” he said.
The Special Adviser further reiterated the state government’s resolve to continue to mediate between companies and host communities to ensure Delta State remains one of the most peaceful states in the country.
