UCMC, Ikpere ALEMEJE Women Traders, UCYDB, finger Delta Governor’s appointee in alleged plot to invade Ugborodo

The Ugborodo Community Management Committee, UCMC, under the leadership of Mr. Emmanuel Onuwaje, Ikpere ALEMEJE Women Traders Association, led by Madam Helen O. Nuco and the Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body, UCYDB, have alleged that an appointee of Delta State Governor and some “self-exilee characters” are bent on destabilising Ugborodo Community, by invading the community with “Armed military personnel.”

Fresh Angle International, can report that they made the allegation Wednesday October 1, during a tripartite press conference held at Ode-Ugborodo, the Global Headquarters of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

While vowing to resist any person or group of persons behind the purported planned invasion, the Ugborodo Community Management Committee, UCMC, Ikpere ALEMEJE Women Traders Association and the UCYDB in their joint statement read by Mr. Eyengho Samuel Besidone, added: “We are deeply concerned and worried over the continued delay in the immediate implementation of the Report of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) on Host Communities within 500 meters of Buffer along the Coastlines of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, as provided for under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Development Regulation, 2022.

“This report, which was produced in 2024 / 2025 pursuant to the above regulation, is central to the recognition and proper delineation of our communities as beneficiaries of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).”

Below is extract of the press statement as signed by Mr. Emmanuel Onuwaje (Chairman, UCMC) Mr. Eyengho Samuel Besidone (Secretary, UCMC) Madam Helen O, Nuco (Chairlady) Madam Paulina Omagbe (Secretary) Mr. Wilson Ejeh (Chairman, UCYDB) and Mr. David Mamah (P.R.O, UCYDB):

“As you may know, Ugborodo Community is made up of five (5) key communities namely, Ode-Ugborodo (headquarters), Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho and Ijaghala, among other sub communities. We are all presently gathered here at Ode-Ugborodo, being the global headquarters of Ugborodo Community.

“Gentlemen of the press, we have convened this joint press conference to address some issues of concern to us as a people, some of which are existential in nature.

“These include, but not limited to the deliberate attempt by some (i)fifth columnists and enemies within, to create division in Ugborodo Community and as such threaten the security, peace and unity currently being enjoyed by indigenes and residents of the community, (2) the persistent ocean surge gradually washing away our communities and the urgent need for a world-class shore protection, (3) the way and manner the International Oil Companies (IOCs) are maltreating Ugborodo Community, the near neglect of the community by government at all levels, and (4) the refusal of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to implement the outcome of the recent field work they jointly carried out with the National Boundary Commission (NBC), on the issue of communities within the deep offshore oil fields, among other issues.

A cross section of Ugborodo indigenes, during tripartite press conference

“1. Threat to Security, Peace and Unity: You may be aware that some jokers recently converged somewhere at Ajamimogha, in far away Warri South LGA, constituted nuisance and deluded themselves with the laughable and dead-on arrival act of constituting a so-called "Governing Council of Ugborodo Community Trust."

“Some of the mass media organisations, who covered the unholy convergence far away from any part of Ugborodo Community, allowed their media to be used to tell lies that the said unholy convergence was at Ugborodo Community! What could be more deceptive, with a part of the media organisations as accomplice! These set of self-exilees have no doubt completely lost touch with the realities on ground in Ugborodo Community.

“The known administrative organs set up and authorised by the appropriate authorities in Ugborodo Community, is the UCMC under the leadership of Mr. Emmanuel Onuwaje, Ikpere ALEMEJE Women Traders Association, led by Madam Helen O. Nuco and the UCYDB under the leadership of Mr. Wilson Ejeh.

“The executives and members of these Tripartite vital organs are seated here with us at Ode-Ugborodo, headquarters of Ugborodo Community. I leave you to be the judge.

“Though we are not in any way perturbed by the shenanigans of these self-exilee characters, we are none the less disturbed by the potential threat of their unpatriotic acts, to the current security, peace and unity in Ugborodo Community, particularly when one of their sponsors is an appointee of the Delta State Governor, with the title/office, "DG Security."

“Be that as it may, we are on ground and at alert. We shall resist any person or group of persons who are bent on destabilising our dear Ugborodo Community. No more, no less. Governments at all levels should please take note as we are aware of his antics to invade the community with Armed military personnel.

“2. The IOCs and Ugborodo Community: It is sad that after over five decades of operating in Ugborodo land, no serious value has been added to the lives of Ugborodo indigenes/other residents and the community itself, by the government at all levels and the IOCs, particularly, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), SPDC now Renaissance Africa Energy Company, NPSL, NGIC etc.

“No portable water, no electricity, no employment and contracts for qualified indigenes. No reasonable employment and empowerment for our teeming youths.

“For instance, in Chevron, the Suffer boats approved for youth empowerment was immediately brought to an abrupt end with no reason, while similar opportunities are being given to friends and families of staff members with several of their vessels working here in the community.

“The CNL and Renaissance marine team are unjustifiably bringing their relatives from other parts of the country to the detriment of Ugborodo Community indigenes, other Itsekiris with total disregards to the local content and labour act.

“There is an ongoing direct Chevron staff employment exercise. Several qualified Ugborodo indigenes and other Itsekiris applied and have gone through the aptitude tests.

“While many applicants from other parts of the country have been employed in this process, not a single Ugborodo indigene or Itsekiris from other communities, have been employed. This has always been the attitude toward us, their host community. This is most unacceptable! We cannot be by the river and soap is gradually blinding us.

“3. Implementation of the NBC/NUPRC Report on Host Communities within 500 Meters Buffer along the Escravos Coastlines (2024 Regulations):

“We are deeply concerned and worried over the continued delay in the immediate implementation of the Report of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) on Host Communities within 500 meters of Buffer along the Coastlines of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, as provided for under the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Development Regulation, 2022.

“This report, which was produced in 2024 / 2025 pursuant to the above regulation, is central to the recognition and proper delineation of our communities as beneficiaries of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).

“It also determines the direct relationship we ought to have with our Operators, especially with respect to deep offshore operations and buffer areas.

“We are gravely worried that despite the clear work and recommendations of the NBC Committee, NUPRC has not moved with urgency to ensure implementation.

“The delay has left our communities in uncertainty, hindering the full exercise of our rights under the law and frustrating our ability to engage meaningfully in the HCDT framework as envisioned by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“We have waited for too long. Our patience cannot remain indefinite. The communities are becoming restless, and as leaders, it is becoming increasingly difficult to hold back the frustration of our people.

“We therefore make the following urgent demands:

“(a). That NUPRC immediately and without further delay implement the Report of the NBC Committee on Host Communities within the 500 meters buffer along the coastlines of the affected states.

“(b). NUPRC formally communicate the recognition of our communities as Host Communities and facilitate the setting up of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) as provided by law.

“(c). That our communities be formally introduced to their respective Operators in line with the deep offshore operations and buffer delineations.

“4. In the same vein, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC (with a new name, "Renaissance, NPDC, SEPLAT, NGIC, NPSL MOBIL Offshore, and Others..."), have bluntly refused to incorporate and start operationalizing our HCDT for both the onshore, Offshore and Deep Offshore. We shall no longer take this disrespect from them or any other IOC operating in Ugborodoland.

“5. Let it be on record that failure of these IOCs, NUPRC and other relevant government agencies to act within a reasonable time frame of seven (7) days, will leave us with no other option, but to put a complete stop to all International Oil Companies’ (IOCs') operations within our communities, until the needful is done by NUPRC. A stitch in time, saves nine.”

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