Ugborodo Community scale up protests against Chevron after Okowa’s intervention, chant war songs

Despite the intervention of Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, indigenes of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, on Monday May 13, scaled up their protests against Oil and Gas Major, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, grounding operations in the company’s Escravos Terminal, Our Senior Correspondent reports.

Your Soaring International Tabloid, can authoritatively report that youths and women of Ugborodo Community were clad on White and Red attire as at 4.30pm Monday May 13 when this report was filed, singing war songs against Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Chairman of Ugborodo Community Management Committee, UCMC, Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, Scribe of the UCMC, Dr. Ayo Ayomike, its PRO, Mike Okoturo and others who spoke to journalists at Chevron’s end of fence, Ugborodo, accused CNL of being a “divide and rule company that doesn't care about welfare of their host community”.

As at the time of filing this report, the protesting Ugborodo indigenes had taken over the Escravos River, blocking entry and exit of Chevron workers into the Company’s Tank Farm.

They vowed to remain around CNL’s area of operations in their community, until their demands are met. The demands include: employment of their indigenes, award of major contracts to indigenous contractors, conversion of their indigenes to Chevron staff, provision of health care facilities, portable drinking water, electricity as well as shore protection.

Meanwhile, members of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, led by Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, also grounded Chevron’s operations at the company’s administrative office in the Oil City of Warri today, May 13, following the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum they gave Chevron to meet the demands of Ugborodo Community.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had reportedly berated Chevron over “its neglect of its oil-rich host community over the years”, even as he called for an immediate reverse of the ugly trend.

Governor Okowa reportedly made the statement, Friday, May 10 at the Delta State Government House, Asaba, during an emergency meeting between the State Government, officials of Chevron Nigeria Limited and a delegation from Ugborodo Community.

The Governor commended the Ugborodo people for their peaceful disposition and hospitality over the decades, even as he praised the Austin Oboroegbeyi-led Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC) for doing a good job since its inauguration. 

Leader of the Ugborodo delegation and Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC), Austin Oboroegbeyi Esq., told the bemused gathering how Chevron “underdeveloped Ugborodo over the years through its various anti Ugborodo policies targeted at impoverishing the critical mass of the Ugborodo people”.

The Chairman ended his presentation by restating the Ugborodo demands which Chevron must meet before the protest will be called off.

On his part, leader of the Chevron delegation, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn allegedly made efforts to make a case for Chevron, but was purportedly flagged down by “unconvinced Governor Okowa who stated without mincing words that Chevron should immediately go and find ways to address the demands of the Ugborodo people and create a cordial relationship with the UCMC and Ugborodo people generally”.

In his contribution, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who represented the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli carpeted the administrative style of Chevron as it concerns Ugborodo land and Ugborodo people.

He reportedly spoke strongly against the activities of NAPIMS and Stevedore Organizations, even as he further berated the oil giant over its alleged lackluster relationship with the palace of the Olu of Warri. 

Ugborodo Community Youths protesting in Escravos River by CNL's Operation Tank Farm

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