The Paramount Ruler of Rumuekpe Community, His Royal Highness, Christian Evekwuru in his reaction to the unfortunate incident, blamed the incident on hunger and poverty in the land.
Evekwuru who commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the fire incident last Friday from alleged illegal bunkering activities in the area, recalled how oil companies in the area refused to employ community youths since oil exploration started in the area in 1958.
The monarch claimed that the multinational failed to establish industries in the area and strengthen established channels to give back to the host community, but instead cleverly avoided the community leaders and engaged some dubious characters of their choice as pipeline surveillance agents who in return sabotaged them at will.
Evekwuru lamented that despite the presence of about four oil companies in the community, there have been incessant fire outbreaks and other calamities, saying that all efforts to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the plight of the people have failed, not minding their contribution to the national economy.
The Rumuekpe Paramount ruler however, accused the security agencies of having full knowledge of the bunkering activities going on in the area, just as he called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the Rivers State Government in fighting the menace.
Today FM’S Uchendu Ejiowhor reports that the Rumuekpe monarch also used the opportunity to appeal to the Federal government to collaborate with the oil companies and consider compensating the families of the victims he said are mainly stranger elements.
