The oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State today staged a protest against Chevron Nigeria Limited as they condemned the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) insisting that the oil giant must dialogue with them.
Indigenes of the community were led in the protests by the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, Daniel Uwawah.
The peaceful protesters, who are from Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho and Ijaghala communities under Ugborodo federated communities, besieged Chevron’s yard in their domain.
The protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as “We want our PIA as host communities. Ugborodo,” “All local content contracts must be brought to the community through the appointed organ,” “Enough of Chevron’s divide-and-rule policies.”
The communities claimed they lack potable water, light, hospital and school, adding that their youths are unemployed, amongst other complaints.
The Igbajoh of Ugborodo, Prince Terry Atete, who spoke on behalf of the Eghare-Aja, said they have written several letters to the international oil company, asking it to dialogue with them in line with the PIA Act, but the company had refused.
Prince Atete, who stressed that the action of the community was a peaceful protest, claimed that the Ugborodo community had written to Chevron on the PIA concerning the award of contracts and employment. He accused Chevron of deliberate refusal to comply.
While noting that Ugborodo is an autonomous community, Prince Atete said: “We are not under anybody. We operate on our own, and as such, the issue of the PIA, as stated that the IOC should come and directly and discuss with the host communities. But up till now, [Chevron] has refused to answer us.”
Prince Atete said the people of Ugborodo community decided to go on a peaceful protest to press home their demands.
According to him: “We are faulting the PIA process. We are saying that the company should come directly and dialogue with the community.
This they have not done. We are saying we are not going to accept it until they come and deliberate with us based on the issue as stated in the act.”
He continued: “Look at our communities, look at everywhere, a community flowing with so much wealth. You’re exploiting our land. We are just saying, “Give us a little.” You say No. We are not going to take it. Look at the shore, the community is almost eroded away. Nothing. No employment. No job. We are not going to take it.”
In a chat with newsmen, a woman leader in the community, Oritsematosan Nuko, corroborated the claims of the Eghare-Aja.
She appealed to Chevron and the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the Ugborodo community and shore up the area.
She said indigenes of the community are being chased away by tidal floods.
Claiming that Chevron knows their plights, Nuko said: “They refused to come. There’s no work for our children. No employment, no business, no contracts. We are just managing ourselves.”
She opined that Chevron dialoguing with the community in line with the PIA will change their situation.
“For now, there’s nothing. The light in this place is not stable and there’s no water. We used to buy water, 25 litre is N100. Chevron is our tenant but they are not treating us well,” she stated.