Umudibia Leadership Rebuts Allegations on School, Orashi Relations

By Wisdom Okoro -(Owerri)

Following the article published by Nze Emmanuel Ehirim of Umukoto Umudibia in Owerri West local government area of Imo state Nigeria, over “how host communities benefit from natural resource development, the condition of public education, and the responsibilities of companies, government, and community leadership”, the leadership of the community through the publicity and media directorate has released a rebuttal that reads thus:

RE: “Orashi’s Wealth, Umudibia’s Poverty: Why Must Our Children Learn Under A Roofless Classroom?”

Our attention had been drawn to a publication by Nze Emmanuel Ehirim, captioned “Orashi’s Wealth, Umudibia’s Poverty: Why Must Our Children Learn Under A Roofless Classroom?”

We have carefully reviewed the piece authored by Nze Emmanuel Ehirim from Umuakaraze kindred of Umuokoto and find it necessary to set the records straight for the benefit of the general public, the good people of Umudibia Autonomous Community, and all stakeholders concerned with truth and development.

No painful contradiction has been exposed as alleged by the writer, except for the same set of mischief makers who have continued to spread false claims against the process through which Orashi Petroleum Development Company Limited and Umudibia Autonomous Community have worked so far, in strict compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. The article attempts to create a false narrative of neglect where none exists. It is a calculated attempt to weaponize a criminal act against the very leadership that has been at the forefront of ensuring Umudibia benefits from its natural resources.

On the issue of the roofless classroom, we acknowledge that the writer himself admits that unknown persons deliberately removed the roofing sheets of the classroom block in question. That admission is critical. Before this unfortunate act of vandalism, the classrooms of Umudibia Community Primary School were intact and our pupils and teachers enjoyed a conducive learning environment. This fact alone dismantles the premise of the writer’s entire argument.

Now we must ask the obvious questions that the writer carefully avoided. What if these same persons who have refused to let peace reign in Umudibia deliberately orchestrated the removal of those roofs just to score a cheap point and paint the community leadership black? How come these roofs had not been removed for years since the buildings were erected? How come these acts of sabotage started happening as soon as the Orashi Petroleum engagements began? The timing is not coincidental. It is suspicious. It points to a pattern of politically motivated sabotage by elements determined to frustrate every progress recorded under the current community leadership.

To suggest that the presence of Orashi Petroleum has exposed a contradiction is to ignore the deliberate actions of those who profit from chaos. The community did not remove its own roofs. Criminals did. And criminals must be treated as such, not used as tools for propaganda.

On the manner of engagements between Orashi Petroleum and the community, the writer’s claims are grossly misleading. The engagement between Orashi Petroleum and the host community, Umudibia, has been all inclusive and has featured the principal leaders of the community. This includes the Traditional Ruler, the Traditional Prime Minister who even came all the way from Portharcourt to attend one of the meetings, the President General who even took the leading role during the meetings in moderating the proceedings and presenting the decisions reached to Umudibia people in attendance, the Woman Leader, the Youth Leader, the Council Chairmen of the various villages that make up Umudibia Autonomous Community and many other Community Stakeholders. Meetings have been held with proper representation from every segment of the community, in line with the PIA and global best practice for host community development trust frameworks.

Umudibia in fact commends the Managing Director of Orashi Petroleum Development Company for his resilience and his refusal to be pushed, intimidated, or compromised. Since negotiations began between the host community Umudibia and Orashi Petroleum Development Company, the MD has insisted that everything be done in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). This stance earned him the nickname “Engr. PIA” among Umudibia indigenes, which clearly shows that every step and process followed has strictly complied with the provisions of the law.

I do not believe that someone of your status would suggest that such important visitors should be received in an open field. It might interest you to know that, under the Imo State Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Law No. 6 of 2006. Important visitors to an Autonomous Community are to be received by the Eze/Traditional Ruler. The palace is the traditional and administratively recognized venue, because the Eze is the head of the Community Government Council and the only person with statutory recognition to act for the community.

We understand that some unscrupulous elements who hold no position in the community have continued to spread false claims, trying to discredit the whole process. These individuals, having failed to impose themselves on the community structure, have now resorted to media blackmail. To claim that engagements were limited to the palace is false. To claim that liaison structures were populated by personal loyalists is a fabrication. The records of attendance, the minutes of meetings, and the composition of the Host Community Development Trust will prove that Umudibia has been represented by its duly recognized leadership across all strata.

On the allegations of division and weakened bargaining power, the only division in Umudibia is being sown by external commentators and internal detractors who have no mandate. A united community is exactly what Umudibia has presented in all dealings with Orashi Petroleum. The progress of negotiations, the establishment of structures under the PIA, and the ongoing needs assessment exercises all confirm that Umudibia is not negotiating from weakness. It is negotiating from a position of clarity, unity, and lawful procedure.

The writer speaks of “possibilities” as if nothing is being done. That is disingenuous. The Host Community Development Trust process under the PIA is methodical. It requires needs assessment, incorporation, funding, and project execution in phases. To demand a fully built modern school, digital labs, and scholarships overnight while the PIA process is still unfolding shows either ignorance of the law or a deliberate attempt to incite the public. Umudibia will not be rushed into poorly executed projects for photo opportunities. We are committed to sustainable, documented, and transparent development.

On Corporate Social Responsibility, we agree that Corporate Social Responsibility must be more than photographs and handshakes. And that is precisely why Umudibia’s leadership insisted on following the PIA, which moves beyond discretionary Corporate Social Responsibility to legally mandated host community benefits. The visits by the Managing Director of Orashi Petroleum were not ceremonial. They were part of the statutory engagement process required before the operationalization of the Host Community Development Trust. To reduce those engagements to symbolism is to undermine the very legal framework that guarantees Umudibia long-term benefits.

The writer calls for intervention from the Imo State Government, UBEB, and the LGA. We welcome it. But we remind the public that the primary responsibility for school infrastructure lies with government. The fact that criminals vandalized a school should prick the conscience of all of us, but it should not be dishonestly transferred to Orashi Petroleum or the community leadership. Security of public assets is a collective duty. If the writer is truly concerned, he should join the call for the arrest and prosecution of the vandals, rather than exploit the crime to attack community leaders and drive home agenda’s by elements and agents of chaos and disunity.

I am surprised, Nze Emmanuel Ehirim, a Corporate Communications Practitioner who claims to write on governance, leadership, and social justice, have never for once written to commend the efforts of the leadership of Umudibia, especially those of the Eze, in driving development and growth within the community. Have you ever commended the Eze for his efforts in securing approval for the establishment of a Comprehensive Secondary School and for building a standard office complex for the Principal, Vice Principal, and a staff room?

The Eze single handedly built a Security gate at the Umuokomoche entrance and co-built that of Umuerim. The Eze and the Eze-in-Council built a Community Government Council Secretariat during the administration of His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, attracted a Community Health Centre during the tenure of Hon. Aham Onyenobi as TC Chairman of Owerri West, what about the Modern Toilet Facilities that the Eze recently attracted through the Leader of the Owerri West LGA council, Hon. Victor Olekaibe.

He has empowered so many Umudibia sons and daughters through the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Including one Mrs. Ifenyinwa Nwaneri from your very own kindred Umuakaraze in Umuokoto was recently appointed a Senior Executive Officer at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, among so many other developmental milestones. It is surprising that, despite all these achievements, you have never written to commend or encourage the Eze.

You say you want peace in Umudibia, yet when the Eze finally won his Ezeship tussle after more than 24 years in court, did you send him a message to congratulate him or wish him a successful reign? You didn’t, because that victory meant nothing to you and to those intent on sowing division and chaos in the community.

I hereby challenge you to visit other Autonomous Communities in Owerri West and beyond that were created within the last 20 years, like Umudibia, and identify any Eze whose achievements have surpassed those of the Traditional Ruler of Umudibia Autonomous Community. Once you have done so, we can then engage in further arguments.

May I respectfully ask you, Nze Emmanuel Ehirim, since you became widely traveled and renowned, as you claim to be, how many youths from your very own kindred have you empowered or granted scholarships to? We are not even discussing how many persons you have empowered within the larger Umudibia Autonomous Community.

History will indeed judge Umudibia, but it will judge us based on facts, not fiction. History will record that when oil and gas was discovered in Umudibia, the community chose law over noise, structure over sentiment, and inclusion over imposition. History will record that a few individuals tried to derail the process with falsehoods, but the leadership remained focused. History will record that the roofs were stolen by criminals, and the same community leadership worked with security agencies and relevant authorities to restore dignity to Umudibia Community Primary School.

The roof over a classroom is indeed a roof over dreams. That is why we will not allow paid commentators and disgruntled elements to use the temporary misfortune of vandalism as a weapon against the future of our children. The classrooms will be fixed. The projects under the PIA will soon commence and real dividends of the Orashi Petroleum partnership will reach every corner of Umudibia, because we are following due process.

We therefore urge the general public to disregard the sensational claims contained in the said publication. Umudibia Autonomous Community remains peaceful, united, and committed to development. The leadership is accountable, inclusive, and working within the law. No amount of media attacks will distract us from the task of securing a brighter future for generations yet unborn.

The time to act is truly now. But the action required is to reject falsehood, support lawful process, and expose those who vandalize schools and then turn around to write articles about the damage they orchestrated. God bless Umudibia.

The rebuttal was signed by Comr. Okoro Wisdom Uche, Director of Media and Information, Umudibia Autonomous Community and published by 9News Nigeria.