ABITOYE OIL FIELD: Delta Community Protests Over Alleged Marginalisation By Chevron

Indigenes of Benikrukru Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest over an alleged inhuman treatment, oppression and marginalisation by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL.

The people who chanted solidarity songs beard placards with inscriptions such as,”Chevron, recognize our welders and fitters,” and Chevron”, “stop the divide and rule system” just as they demanded a halt to all forms of environmental degradation of their Communities when they besieged the gate of Abiteye Oil field.

They warned Chevron Nigeria Limited not to tamper with the Abiteye Oil field Security House boat.

Abiteye Security House Boat is located at the Abiteye Oil Field which produces 42,000 barrels of crude oil per day with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,NNPC and Chevron Nigeria Ltd having 60 per cent and 40 per cent shares respectively.

In a letter to the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited,Mr. Jeffrey Ewing, the Chairman and Secretary-General of Benekrukru community, Boan Solomon Eris and Comrade Kingsley Ukulu, who led the peaceful protest demanded for contract labour and catering services to indigenes of the Communities Communities.

Apart from the request for urgent recruitment of qualified indigenes of the community by CNL, the leaders also demanded contracts for crane and forklift, supply of in-house equipment, diesel and marine transport services.

“The main drive for this protest is all about the movement of the the house boat. The house boat is the only material that Chevron released to us to have income monthly.

“As we speak now, they are about to move the house boat away which will leave the community in hunger. So, we are saying that the house boat should remain,” Boan Eris pleaded.

Women leader of the Community, Madam Elizabeth Lagbo also warned that there will be no peace henceforth in the area if CNL refused to give employment to their women and youths.

Representative of Abiteye, an extension of Benikrukru, Sculptor Austin Ojo, who said the people have taken their destiny in their hands, also implored CNL to heed to the demands of the people to avert a shutdown of its facility.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Abiteye Platform Supervisor, CNL, Mr. Francis Obodo, who addressed the protesters, appreciated their peaceful nature, and assured them he would pass their message across to the appropriate quarters.

“I thank you for this peaceful protest. I assure you that Chevron is a socially responsible company. Whatever demands you have brought in this morning, I’m assuring you that I will communicate it to the appropriate quarters and in no time, you will hear from us.”

By Mattex Omonext