July 16, 2002
Posted to the web July 16, 2002

Sola Adebayo

GOVERNOR James Ibori of Delta State has intervened in the unending face-off between protesting Ugborodo women and management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) over the seizure of the multi-billion naira Escravos Tank Farm owned by the American oil giant.

However, the women continued the occupation of the loading terminal as at five 0'clock yesterday evening. CNL's Media Relation Officer, Mr. Wole Agunbiade confirmed that the women had not shifted ground.

Ibori's intervention came on the heels of an unconfirmed report that another group of women from Ugboegungun community in Warri South West local government area of the state had also taken over the Northern end of the loading platform while the governor's peace initiative was going on in Warri on Sunday night.

Ugboegungun community is another host community to CNL in its Escravos operation.

Ibori, Vanguard learnt, met Chevron's team led by its Deputy Managing Director in charge of asset management, Mr. Dick Filgate and Ugborodo community led by the chairman of Ugborodo community's Labour and Manpower Development Forum, Mr. Eric Igban behind closed doors at Government House, Warri.

The representatives of the Olu of Warri, Chief Gabriel Mabiaku, the Iyatsere of Warri, was said to be present at the meeting where Ibori pleaded with the two groups to shift grounds in the interest of the nation's economy.

The governor, according to the sources, at the meeting, reportedly asked them to urgently conclude the on-going negotiation and discussions so as to allow loading to resume at the platform.

The two parties, Vanguard correspondent gathered stuck to their guns throughout the duration of the meeting.