As part of our responsibility to host communities , Mosra Energy Limited, donated 250 bags of 5kg rice, 500 pieces of wrapper and 250 pieces of customised bags to Ugboba community in Aniocha North Local Council of Delta State.
The items were received by His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu III, Obi of Ugboba Kingdom for onward distribution to his people.
The monarch proactively summoned a meeting of Ugboba General Assembly (Izuani), where the gift items were shared to the three quarters – Ogbe-Obi, Umuaregbezie and Akpoma Quarters making up Ugboba, according to the order of seniority.
While handing over the gift items to the Diokpas (elders) of the Quarters for onward distribution to their people, Obi Nkebakwu stressed the need for transparency and accountability in dealing with the people.
He said it is a sin to God and the ancestors of the land to tamper with what is meant for the entire community.
He appreciated them for their peaceful disposition towards his leadership, maintaining that God had ordained that he would serve them and that he would continue to serve them well in accordance with God’s injunctions.
Speaking to newsmen at the distribution centre, the President General of Ugboba Development Union, Mr. Iyke Nnabuife commended Mosra Energy for the gift, adding that as a transparent community, they had decided to allow every Quarter to share the goods among their people.
He extolled the monarch for attracting good fortunes to his people in terms of human and community development.
His said: “What Mosra Energy has done is unprecedented, by considering its host community and bringing foodstuffs and other items to them unsolicited. We use this medium to appreciate them for their kind gestures.
“Let me assure them that Ugboba community is a peace loving one, and our people are eager to see development continue to filter in. As such, we will cooperate with them as they commence Lignite Coal mining operations in the community.”
Nnabuife, who also gave a background to the operations of the company in Ukwu-Nzu, Ugbodu and Obomkpa , said the test run of their exploration had been carried out already, while full project would commence as soon as they are done with the road infrastructural project.
The PG said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done by both the federal, state, local council and four communities indicated that there would be no adverse effect on the people, adding that “a workshop was organised to this effect in Asaba, where expert explanation was given.”
Speaking further, he said that the company would deploy modern technology in its explorative activities, and as such, there won’t be any adverse effect on the health of the people.
On his parts, the Secretary General of Ugboba Development Union, Chief Ofili Otobo said the gifts were not given to buy the conscience of the Community as the same quantity were equally given to Ukwu-Nzu, Ugbodu and Obomkpa communities, maintaining that there was no strings attached.
He said: “Ugboba is a peaceful community and we trust our Obi and leaders to guide us aright. Our composure and conduct has even earned us the privilege of being the first community where the mineral exploration would take off. We coexist peacefully here in Ugboba because we have a system of land ownership that is strictly communal.
“This gift is a freewill to the host communities and not intended to compromise anybody. We have a Coal Committee comprising of four communities involved, and there is no place where the free gift is part of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).”