Asaba — A communal crisis over non-release of funds by operating oil firm in Ughelli South community of Delta State may deepens if urgent steps are not taken to foil the sinister motives of the reportedly disillusioned host to cause mayhem after expiration of 14 days ultimatum issued.

Reports said the operating oil firm (Pro-Natural International) has been having problems with the host, Umolo Community, in Ughelli South upon its failure to release funds to the people.

The Moment, however, gathered that residents of the community besieged the SPDC's office on Wednesday in fierce protest armed with dangerous weapons but for the intervention of the security agents who were on hands to save what would have been bloodbath.

The protesters, mainly youths, accused the SPDC and the oil firm of unwarranted seizure of the community's funds running into N2billion under the ongoing SPDC - Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU).

Expectedly, their ultimatum came on the heels of PNI's failure to give concrete evidence to substantiate its decision that denied Umolo community access to the funds after the state Ministry of Justice and SPDC confirmed the oil community's qualification to access the fund.

Mr. Vincent Otidi the Ughelli South Council's boss confirmed to The Moment the 14 days ultimatum, adding that failure of PNI to live up to expectations may heightened the crisis for the people known for peaceful co-existence.

He explained: 'The oil firm had not only failed to make convincing presentation on why Umulo community should not benefit from the funds under the GMOU, but has created serious problems of agitation'.

In his reaction, a representative of the SPDC, Mr. Okoro Joseph, dismissed as untrue allegations made by Umolo community youths, adding that the oil firm was looking into the evidence they provided before the release of the funds could be made.