The Management of Okomu oil Palm company, in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State and the neighbouring Maroghioba Community, popularly called ATP have entered into agreement to set up a neighborhood watch to stop theft of the company’s products from the plantation.
The Nigerian Observer learnt that over fifty tons of palm products are stolen through the nearby ATP community and in a bid to stop this trend, the company had to dig a trench round the plantation to protect their banga products from being stolen, but in their reaction some members of ATP community protested a forth night ago that the trench was blocking their assess road to some parts of the community.
The acting Odionwere of Maroghioba Community, Chief Gabriel Okhuelegbe led other leaders of the community to a reconciliation meeting which was also attended by the representative of the Iyase of Udo who is the Chairman of Udo Community relation committee, Aragua Friday and security agents.
After the closed door meeting, it was agreed that the stealing from the plantation was enormous, therefore, a neighborhood watch should be setup for adequate security and that the road in contention belongs to Okomu Oil Palm Company.
It was however agreed that Okomu will provide an alternative road for the community while the excavator continue to work on the road and the community liaison officer should arrange for a meeting with the community next week to agree on the road to be worked on for the community as an alternative road
The Managing Director of Okomu oil palm Company, Plc, Dr. Graham Hefer commended the neigbouring ATP community for agreeing to assist the company stop hoodlums from stealing from the plantation which has cost the company huge sums of money in the past.
He recalled that over fifty persons have been apprehended and jailed for stealing products from the plantation, noting that, ” with this agreement reached today, we hope for less criminal activities from hoodlums residing in the community.
“Together we are stronger and all we are asking from the community is for them to protect us, please make sure no criminal enter our property,” he added.
The acting Odionwere who showered encomiums on the Okomu oil company for providing the community with Boreholes, markets, schools and town hall, said they have agreed to abide by the agreement reached during the reconciliation meeting.
The chairman of Udo Community relations committee, Aragua disclosed that the protest that was embarked upon by some persons in the community recently against the digging of the trench around the plantation was because the company blocked their access to the plantation, thereby stopping them from stealing.
