Rivers land dispute: Reps threaten arrest of oil coy MD

 A host community in Rivers State has appeared before the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Host Communities over a land dispute with Greenville Oil and Gas Company Limited.

The group had earlier petitioned the House over alleged revocation of the community’s Right of Occupancy and the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to the company by Rivers State Government.

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In a submission to the committee signed by their counsel, Eke Emenike Geoffrey, the community said the Right of Occupancy allegedly obtained by the company was in direct conflict with the provision of Section 5(2) of the Land Use Act.

The community, therefore, urged the House of Representatives to automatically nullify or cancel the existing lease agreement between the company and the Aborigines as well as the Statutory Right of Occupancy allegedly granted to the company by the governor.

The committee rejected the delegations sent by the managing director of the company to represent him at the sitting, insisting he must appear in person.

Recalling they had earlier summoned the MD, the committee’s chairman, Uju Kingsley, warned that if the MD failed to appear at the next sitting, the committee would issue a warrant of arrest against him.