Ndakara Inaugurates Orogun Conference Implementation Committee ~ Truth Reporters

 

...as Orogun modular refinery registered, awaiting license
...Civic Centre to be renovated and converted to a Youth Enterprise and Innovation Centre

By Foster Akpore

The President General of Orogun, Chief Benson Ndakara (Esq.) on Saturday Nov. 13, inaugurated a standing committee for the Economic Integration and implementation of the resolutions reached at the Orogun Conference.

Inaugurating the Committee at Aragba Community Town Hall, Aragba-Orogun, Chief Ndakara stated that Evang. Godspower Odenema would be Chairman and Barr. Opone would be the Secretary among others, with the President General and his team providing oversight; and that their terms of reference is  for the development of Orogun kingdom.

He further tasked them to, in his own words, "interface with offices of our sons and daugters who are in position to help Orogun Kingdom. Aragba-Ebor, Obodeti-Otorho Road should be given priority, while Orogun-Emevor Road and Orogun-Owhelogbo Roads should not be left out."

"Critical complaint about the template should be looked into. Our youths are looking for job. We need to take our youths off the streets"

In his welcome remark, Chief Ndakara adopted his welcome address at the Orogun Kingdom Conference of October 2nd 2021 to members of the Orogun Kingdom Implementation Meeting, and noted that the meeting was called to address lingering issues around the management of Orogun Oil money, Ovieship, Orogun Modular Refinery, among other thorny issues.

in his words: "The essence of our gathering here today is to address a few issues that were left unattended to at the Orogun Kingdom Conference of Saturday 2nd October, 2021. The major job has been done by the conference committee."

"They went from community to community to see things by themselves, brought out all their needs, documented same and put them in a book form. That one is the springboard."

"In other words, we have gathered all the spare parts. What we are about to do now is how do we couple the spare parts for the growth of the kingdom. Once you have your spare parts, your job is half done."

"So, please, anything we are going to discuss, don’t look at it from the prism of political party lens. Use your party to bring things to Orogun kingdom. Let us talk to ourselves sincerely. Its not about fight or quarrel or opening old wounds. Its about rubbing minds. The bottom line is what are we to do to develop the kingdom. That’s why we are here. I welcome you sincerely."

In his presentation, Engr. Clifford Onwuka argued that it is an economic imperative for Orogun to consider having a modular refinery in order to harness the huge benefit of being an oil producing community as other communities are doing. 

He further stated that so far, the 10-man committee that  was constituted by the Orogun President General earlier this year has been holding meetings, met with the Orogun Okpara-Uku-In-Council, the oil producing communities to secure their buy-in and support to the five (5) acres of land needed for the two thousand (2000) barrels/day refinery.

Engr. Onwuka further revealed that the company has been registered with the name Alfa Hydrocarbon Modular Refinery, Orogun, and they are working to get the license.

Meanwhile, on the vexed issue of Orogun having an Ovie, it was noted that nobody wants to usurp the powers of the Okpara-Uku and that what has been in existence for many years cannot be dismantled in a short time, hence the need for constant education and sensitization by the PG to members of the Okpara-Uku-In-Council.

In a related development, members of the committee also noted with concern that Orogun is not getting a fair deal from the proceeds of crude oil due to the divide and rule antics of the Oil Companies in partnership with a few families who are only benefitting to the exclusion of the larger collective community interest, and therefore agreed that a meeting be fixed with them at the Palace for dialogue.

Also, reacting to a presentation by Mr Foster Akpore that the Orogun Civic Centre should be renovated and converted to a Youth Enterprise and Innovation Centre where youths of the kingdom would be trained on ICTSs and other relevant skills, Chief Ndakara acquiesced and noted that it is a cause that is worth looking into and consequently, requested for a memo to be done to the office of the President General, stating the cost implication.




Other notable fall out from the conference was the formal unveiling of the Orogun Conference Wrapper which is still fast selling at six thousand, five hundred naira (N6,500) and a directive by the P.G for two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) to be released by the Conference Planning Committee for the repair and maintenance of the generator of the Orogun General Hospital.

Having deliberated on all the issues on the agenda to the satisfaction of all, Chief Ndakara cautioned that in "my capacity as President General of Orogun, this forum is non-political, but we cannot close our eyes to somebody who can politically help us. We need to put our house in order and reconcile forces because the essence of politics is to bring something home."