A community leader in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Benson Otomiewo, has said that the true position of the state government aimed at bringing to an end to the imbroglio surrounding the appointment of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) in the area remains that all parties should maintain the status quo pending when all issues on the matter are resolved at the State Security Council.
Speaking with NewsNet Otomiewo opined that the letter from the Director-General, Delta State Security, Hon David Tonwe, dated February 18, 2021, remains the only valid and subsisting document wherein the state government asked communities to let the status quo remain in the interim on the issue of CLOs in order to avert any action inimical to peaceful coexistence within the communities.
He said the letter which was addressed to the Unuevworo of Ekpan, High Chief Peter Iffie, supersedes and takes precedence over the report which recommended that all Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) in Ekpan, must vacate office by 30th September 2020.
Otomiewo, therefore, urged communities and the traditional institution in Uvwie Council Area to desist from bullying companies to accept new appointments of CLOs, when the State Security Council is yet to finally come up with its resolution on the matter.
He said, “We have love and respect for the traditional institution but it is misplaced for it to be meddling into the affairs of these companies operating the Uvwie thereby sending a negative signal.
“For peace in the communities particularly in Ekpan, the various parties in the matter should maintain the status quo as demanded by the state government.
“This is even more important especially at this time that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is doing all it could to bring more investments to the state and convince some companies who on account of community disturbances and other security-related issues relocated from the state.”
Continuing Otomiewo assured companies in Uvwie land of peace in their operations saying the government final resolution on the matter will definitely be made public when it is ready.
The community leader said the letter from the Director-General, Delta State Security, Hon David Tonwe, dated February 18, 2021, clearly stated below:
“The attention of the state government has been drawn to the recent unfortunate action by some group of youths representing Ekpan Community/Ekpan Development Committee who visited various companies operating in Ekpan Area and presented fresh nominees for immediate appointment as Community Liaison Officers.
“This action is capable of causing a serious breach to law and order and therefore surmounts the effort of the State Government in ensuring enduring peace within Effurun and environ. This, the State Government will not in any guise condone.
“Specifically, in order to avert any action inimical to peaceful coexistence within the communities, all parties are to maintain the status quo pending when all issues pertaining to the aforementioned are resolved at the State Security Council, where attention is already being given to matters arising thereto.”
