Ugborodo Community to FG: Intervene to avert looming crisis

Ugborodo youths intensifying their protest in the river at entrance of CNL operations base, Ugborodo

Indigenes of Ugborodo Community in Warri South- West Local Government Area, have called on the Federal Government to intervene in their ongoing face-off with Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, to avert looming crisis, insisting their demands are beyond Delta State Government.

The Chairman of Ugborodo Community Management Committee, UCMC, Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, explained that their decision to sustain the protest against Chevron, despite the intervention of Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was because “CNL and other IOCs didn't abide by agreements entered into with them previously, hence we want the relevant Federal Government agencies in the Oil and Gas sector to be involved, in order for any agreement to be reached that will be binding on both parties”.

Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi fielding questions from newsmen

According to Barr. Oboroegbeyi, Ugborodo demands that require immediate attention include: employment of their indigenes, award of more contracts, supply/review of maintenance project, provision of portable drinking water, provision of standby electricity, increase in scholarship slots /better funding as well as road map to other social amenities.

He also mentioned removal of NNPC/NAPIMS bottleneck in order for Ugborodo Indigenes to be awarded capital intensive contracts, engagement in the ongoing EGTL Turn-Around Maintenance Projects, supply of logistics, which CNL uses to operate in their facilities and shore line protection of Ugborodo Community.

Ocean Surge threatening 911 Resort, Ajudaibo, Ugborodo

Ocean Surge wiping away buildings at Ajudaibo

Ocean Surge washing away parts of Ogidigben

CNL shoreline protection with stone base enforcement

The UCMC Chairman, described the establishment of Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, as “a fraud used to deceive Ugborodo people by CNL, because CNL don't fund it adequately”. According to him, IRDC is given N400 million yearly, which when shared between the 23 Itsekiri communities, amounts to less than N18million annually to each of the community.

Secretary of Ugborodo Community Management Committee, Dr. Ayo Ayomike said CNL exploration activities had adversely affected Ugborodo Community, resulting in Ocean Surge, which has wiped away large section of Ugborodo land.

Dr. Ayo Ayomike (right) & other community stakeholders, conducting newsmen round

Ugborodo Communities threatened by Ocean Surge

From left: Mr. Pa. Robinson Edema, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Olare-Aja of Ajudaibo, Pa. Victor Daje & others

Dr. Ayomike stated that people of Ugborodo want to have a separate Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with Chevron, as against the existing Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, which presently covers 23 Itsekiri Oil and Gas bearing communities. Our Senior Correspondent reports that journalists were conducted round various oil and gas facilities in Ugborodo as well as failed infrastructures in the oil-rich community.

The Ologbotsere (Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, while addressing newsmen at his 911 Resort in Ugborodo, stressed that his area gave President Buhari the highest number of votes in Delta State during the recent Presidential election.

The Ologbotsere (Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirmi Emami fielding questions from newsmen at Ajudaibo, Ugborodo, Warri South-West

Chief Emami who stated that he was not an advocate of violence, pleaded with the Federal and Delta State governments to immediately intervene in the agitation between Ugborodo and Chevron, to avoid a crisis situation.

He called on the Federal Government to prevail on NNPC and NAPIMS to stop the bottlenecks that prevent indigenous contractors that have capacity from host communities of IOCs, from executing mega oil and gas contracts.

Abandoned internal road in Ugborodo, awarded by Delta State Government

Abandoned health care facility built by Delta State Government at Ogidigben, Ugborodo

Destroyed Madangho Hospital neglected by one of the IOCs operating in Ugborodo

Secretary-General of Ode-Ugborodo, Allisson Eyewu & others protesting in the river at CNL Terminal

The Warri Traditional Prime Minister, berated NDDC for refusing to construct shoreline protection of CNL host communities in Ugborodo, despite series of appeal, calling for probe of NDDC in order to have effective and prudent management of its fund.

Chevron Tank Farm at Ugborodo

CNL Operation’s Jetty with well enforced shore protection

Weak and abandoned Ode-Ugborodo Community shoreline protection embarked upon by NDDC

Protesting Youths on boat display, chanting war songs

Others who spoke at the intensified protest included Chief Tunde Okoturoh, an indigene of Ugborodo Community, Ugborodo Community Management Committee PRO, Mike Okoturo, Mr. Victor Omunu, Secretary of Ode-Ugborodo Community Youth, Allison Eyewu, women and youth leaders.

Mr. Mike Okoturo conducting newsmen round New-Ugborodo Housing site initiated by Chevron over 20 years ago

Cross Section of women of Ugborodo Community protesting at CNL first fence

Cross Section of Ugborodo women passing nights at Chevron Operations Base, Ugborodo

Abandoned health care facility built by Delta State Government at Ogidigben, Ugborodo

Some Ugborodo indigenes protesting against decay of infrastructures in Ugborodo land

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