In reaction to the state government's decision to terminate all oil committees in the state, oil producing communities have threatened to close down oil wells in Ondo State.
Guardian newspaper reported that the communities under the umbrella of Coastline Integrity Forum of Ugbo-Ilaje warned the government to stay off from the oil wells.
The President of the association Wole Ogungbeje; Secretary, Samuel Ebiwanon and Public Secretary , Dapo Ojajun, collectively issued the warning.
The Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had earlier issued a statement last week through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Segun Ajiboye announcing the termination of the oil committees in the state.
The communities further warned that if the state government did not reverse its stand pertaining to the matter at hand, they would take a demeaning decision which will result in closing down any form of oil activities in the state and consequently causing a grave effect on the economy of the state.
The group asserted that the government had gone far by recruiting overseers into the board of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
Meanwhile, while giving the stand of the government on a phone chat with Sunshine Herald, Chairman of OSOPADEC, Hon Gbenga Edema explained that prior to this time, the government had its own input in who qualifies to be members of the oil association.
He further shed more light, saying, "It is the executive committees of the oil association not the oil association itself that was dissolved and this was done to pave way for new ones".
"It was like that in the days of the former Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Before he became the governor, the former committes were dissolved and he replaced them with his own committees that he appointed".
Edema pointed that the government was fair enough in selecting his committees.
"I am from Ilaje community and the government has not finished his appointment.
"The Governor has been fair enough to Ilaje people. I don't know the group that has been making those threats.
Whether they are fighting for Ilaje or not, I don't know", he boldly submitted.
