Oil giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, has called for peace in some communities that were recently hit by communal clashes in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the crisis in the area was ignited by two rival cult groups, which were locked in a battle of supremacy.
Also, the recent cult war in Egi Kingdom between two cult groups had increased tension within the area as most residents of the communities were sacked from their homes.
Some companies in the area were also said to have shut down their operations, pending when the hostilities would end.
However, the crisis in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, a local government area that plays host to Total E&P had forced the oil company to move this year’s football competition to Elele Okaniali in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Communities of Egi play host to the operations of Total, operator of NNPC/TEPNG Joint Venture, and the yearly football competition, which is at its 14th edition is part of the firm’s social responsibility to the host communities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 14th Edition of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 football competition, contested by 16 teams, the Executive General Manager, Field Operation, Mr. Jean-Claude Vachet enjoined the people of the area to embrace peace.
Vachet, who was represented at the occasion by the Community Affairs Service Manager of the company, Mr. Okechukwu Obara, expressed the need for the people to maintain a friendly relationship.
He said the essence of the football competition was to show the people the importance of peace and friendly living.
“This year’s competition is a special edition. For this reason and in recognition of the festering security challenges currently beleaguering our communities, the usual age restriction has been relaxed for this year.
“It is against this background and our determination to encourage peace and reconciliation amongst our youths that we adopted, ‘Playing for Peace and Reconciliation’ as theme.
“We enjoin all participating teams, managers and their supporters to embrace peace and play for reconciliation, friendship and unity amongst our teeming youths,” Vachet said.
Similarly, the Vice Chairman of Rivers State Football Association, Chief Omieneokuma Kile charged the communities and youths to use the football competition as a means of settlement.
Kile said the football competition hosted by the oil multinational should not just be seen a means of unfair challenge, but an avenue for the promotion of peace in the communities where Total E & P is operating in.
Also, the Chairman of Egi Traditional Council, Chief Nwogbidi Jonathan, said it was worrisome that one of the benefits of the communities, which made the area lively was taken to another local government.
Jonathan said the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA would do everything possible to ensure that peace returned in Egiland and every part of the local government.
The monarch said that people had benefitted from the yearly football competition organised by the company, adding that youths should see the opportunity as a means of character development
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