The Oba of Benin has called on members of the Host Communities of Nigeria
producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) to bury their differences and unite for a
common purpose.
His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II made the call in his Palace when the factions
of HOSTCOM paid him a separate visit.
The Benin Monarch said he would not want to deal with a particular faction
of HOSTCOM, rather he would do everything possible to bring the two
factions together with a view to uniting them for a common purpose.
The Omo N’Oba told his guests that the offer for him to be the National
Grand Royal Patron of HOSTCOM would better be appreciated if there is unity
among members and they can speak with one voice.
The Oba of Benin said they must find ways to achieve unity in order for the
body to access the benefit coming to the Host Communities from the Federal
Government.
Omo N’Oba thanked members of the group for their various contributions to
the success of HOSTCOM, and promised to do his best to unite the group into
a body that the Federal Government would listen to.
While appealing to the leadership of HOSTCOM to toll the path of peace, Oba
Ewuare II promised to liaise with President Mohammadu Buhari on the matter
and also seek the way forward for HOSTCOM.
The Benin Monarch however charged the leadership of HOSTCOM to do
everything possible to prevent youths from engaging in pipeline vandalism.
Addressing His Royal Majesty, the chairman of a group of HOSTCOM, Prince
Dr. Mike Emu, said President Mohammadu Buhari has granted 13% derivation to
HOSTCOM, and the body has been mandated to recruit 10,000 youths as
pipeline surveillance officers.
Dr. Emu said they were in the Palace to inform the Oba of Benin of the
progress made so far and pleaded with His Royal Majesty to accept to be the
National Grand Patron of HOSTCOM.
Contributing, one of the founding member of HOSTCOM, Chief Wellington
Okrika gave a historical account of the formation of HOSTCOM, pointing out
that the Oba of Benin was very instrumental to the formation of the body.
The leader of the other group of HOSTCOM, King Edmund Dakoru, the
Amanayanbor of Nembe said the inability of HOSTCOM members to agree has
hampered the disbursement of the money accruing to HOSTCOM, and expressed
worry that a break out faction of HOSTCOM are trying to get the money out
to the detriment of other members.
King Dakoru however appealed to the Oba of Benin to intervene in the
matter, as they all believe in his fatherly role in resolving their
differences.