Anambra Flays Vandalisation Of Orient Petroleum Facilities

The Anambra Govern
ment has condemned the persistent attacks and destruction of facilities of Orient Petroleum in Aguleri-Otu area of the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze, in a statement described the attacks as unfortunate.
According to him, the attack came when efforts were in top gear to bring lasting peace in the border communities.
He said that the Anambra and Kogi Governments were collaborating to identify the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to book.
“Anambra State Government is seriously concerned about the attack earlier today on the Orient Petroleum Plc facilities in the Aguleri Otu area.
“The Anambra Executive Council has been briefed on the incident and Anambra authorities are in direct contact with the highest authorities in Kogi State on the matter with a view to identifying those behind this nefarious act.
“While investigations are ongoing, security agencies and local government authorities on both sides of the two states boundary are cooperating to determine the perpetrators of this violence.
“This development is most unfortunate as it comes at a time when inter-communal dialogue and other confidence-building measures within the boundary localities, including boundary demarcation are vigorously being pursued.
“Anambra State authorities will continue to sue for calm and peace, but must warn that those who breach public peace and security and resort to violence must be made to face the full consequences of the law,” he said.
It would be recalled that there had been crisis in the border communities of Anambra and Kogi since the commencement of petroleum exploration in the area in 2012.

L-R: Group Leader, Oko Community in Anambra State, Nze Okolie; President, Oko Youth Movement, Mr Hilary Tochukwu; Secretary, Mr Ejindu Okoli and Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu, at the presentation of Award of Excellence to the Rector of the Polytechnic at Oko in Anambra State, last Monday Photo NAN