Prince Preye Okrikpa, Chairman of
Oil-rich Odidi Federated Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has said he will put up measures to check oil theft in the area.
Prince Preye Okrikpa, while fielding questions from newsmen in Odidi recently after he and twenty one others were inaugurated to pilot the affairs of the community for four years, said in order to develop the community rapidly they must make it safe for investors to come in.
According to him, “There is a lot of oil theft going on In our area right now and this clashes with our main goal to foster rapid development of the area so in order to achieve this, we have decided to put up a unique measure to check oil theft in the area. We want Odidi to be safe, peaceful and crisis free for investors, industries to come in and work.
“As I speak to you, we recently commissioned a boat in Odidi that goes around the local community to convey people to school and take them back home. We will continue to do more to make sure that we bring government to our doorstep and develop the area. We want Odidi to be recognised all over the world.
“We have been neglected for years but today with the help of God,the support of my leaders, community and co-executives we believe that we can do better. I will rule with all fairness and defend Odidi Community to the later. I will make sure that there is unity, that everybody is being carried along in this government.
“We had internal disputes but by the grace of God we have settled and all of us are in one accord. We are all one family and what is in everyone’s mind right now is how to develop Odidi Community, how to empower all the youths and make Odidi Community a unique place to live in.”
Earlier in his address, the outgoing Chairman, High Chief Johnny Arigbogha said that he was proud to spearhead the inauguration and charged the new executive to follow his footstep and do more better than what he did. “We need improvement, development in life everyday so they should do more than what I have done. With my advice I know they will work well and bring in development to the community.
“I expect more development in the community, they should also engage our boys in politics because once you are absent in politics, you are absent from everything. I will engage seriously in politics also so that more things will be brought back to our community from Abuja. My advice to the new executive is that they should cooperate, where there is no cooperation the community cannot move forward and once they have problem they should contact the community, political leaders so that we will be able to resolve it and make sure the government is an open one.
Arigbogha who handed over the Community leadership to Okrikpa after several petitions, legal battles appealed to all supporters and oppositions to settle all grievances and cooperate with the new executives “life is give and take our community must move forward, Nigerians will hear and say look take example from Odidi community. By withdrawing the case from court, some communities have taken example from us applauding the way we settled the matter amicably without loss of lives and properties they have promised to emulate us.”
The new executive include Chief John Lokiri, vice-chairman; Clement Numah, secretary; Michael Konkemele, PRO; Jacob Ekpomini, Solomon Aribogha, Doubra Akamu, Godwin Iganiga, Micheal Seiwei T, Doctor Clarkson Aribogha, Hon. Friday Denghe, Elder Kulele Umukoro, Ebimiene Oyamingha, Sammy Doubowei, Ayowei Akori, Friday Deribi, Monday Meneko, Tam Mamamu, Elder Johnson Febeanafa, Chief Lawrence Okrikpa, Chief Isaiah Ibilou and Moses Ibilou
