Ifie-kporo indigenes reportedly shut-down Well 24, Well 25 operated by Chevron

Members of Ifie-kporo Community, have reportedly shut-down Chevron Nigeria Limited’s Well 24 and Well 25 in Makaraba Oil Field, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Fresh Angle International, understands that the two oil wells, were shut-down Tuesday October 20, over perceived gross marginalization and failure of Chevron Nigeria Limited to “properly recognize” Ifie-kporo as host community.

The community commenced the shutdown during a peaceful protest to register their grievances and force Chevron Nigeria Limited, “to comply with standard best practices as regards Oil Company’s engagement with the host communities in their areas of operations.”

Some of the Ifie-kporo indigenes, during the protest

The protesters in multiple speedboats stormed the oil field carrying placards with different inscriptions including, “Chevron, you can’t be operate in our community and refuse to recognize Ifie-Kpoko Community as host”; “Chevron give us our right or leave our land. Enough is enough” and “Chevron will not operate our oil well until Ifie-kporo is fully recognized as your host community” among others.

Speaking in an interview, some of the protesters, said they are tired of the deceitful and irresponsible game Chevron has been playing with them.

While noting that they were going to occupy the location until they get the desired result, the protesters described the attitude of Chevron towards them despite their peaceful disposition over the years as distasteful and one that is unbecoming of a company like Chevron.

The facility reportedly shutdown

The Ifie-kporo Community protesters were emphatic that Well 24 and 25 in Makaraba field being operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited are located in their ancestral land, sending a stern warning to the oil multinational to stay off both wells if they are not ready to be lawful, accord the community its host community status and allow the community to enjoy all her rights as stipulated in the PIA to fast track growth and development in Ifie-kporo.

While calling on Chevron Nigeria Limited not to plunge the once peaceful area into chaos, the protesters urged the company to immediately follow the precedent already laid since the time of Gulf when they duly cooperated and recognized Ifie-kporo community as their host community being the owners of the land where Well 24 and 25 are located.

As at the time of this report, operations in Well 25 Makaraba oil field has been completely shutdown with workers evacuated from the field.

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