A group of protesters from the Ugborodo community in Delta State, Nigeria, have taken over the Escravos Gas To Liquid (EGTL) facility operated by Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), demanding the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and other benefits.
The protesters, who arrived at the facility on Wednesday, blocked access to the terminal and EGTL jetties, preventing workers from entering or leaving. They also erected a shrine with a fearsome effigy called “Ogbejugbele” to signify the support and wrath of their ancestors.
The protesters presented a list of 41 demands to Chevron, including the renaming of the Warri Kingdom Onshore Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), the involvement of the community in the nomination of additional persons for the HCDT board of trustees, the employment and training of Ugborodo youths and Itsekiri indigenes, and the participation of the community in the ongoing maintenance work at the facility.
The protesters said they were tired of being neglected and marginalised by Chevron, which has been operating in their community for over 60 years without providing adequate social amenities, infrastructure, or opportunities. They vowed not to leave the facility until the federal government intervened and Chevron agreed to their demands.
The PIA, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2023, is a landmark legislation that aims to reform the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of crude oil. The act provides for the establishment of host community development trusts to ensure the participation and benefit of oil-producing communities in the exploration and production activities in their areas.
However, the implementation of the act has been met with challenges and controversies, as different stakeholders have different interpretations and expectations of its provisions. Several oil-producing communities have staged protests and occupied oil facilities in recent months, accusing the oil companies of failing to comply with the act and demanding a fair share of the oil wealth.
Chevron, in a statement on Thursday, said it was committed to the operationalisation of the HCDT in compliance with the PIA and was collaborating with the relevant stakeholders, including the Ugborodo community leaders and traditional rulers, towards achieving this goal. The company also said it was ensuring the participation of community workers in the EGTL Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) activities, in line with the manpower mobilisation plan.
The company appealed to the protesters to vacate the facility peacefully and allow the workers to resume their duties, adding that it placed the highest priority on the safety of people, the environment, and its assets.
The Delta State Government and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have also intervened in the matter, urging the protesters to dialogue with Chevron and respect the rule of law. They assured the protesters that their grievances would be addressed and their rights would be protected under the PIA.
The protest at the Chevron facility is the latest in a series of unrests that have rocked the Niger Delta region, where most of Nigeria’s oil is produced. The region has long suffered from environmental degradation, poverty, and insecurity, despite its huge contribution to the national economy. The PIA is seen as a potential solution to the decades-long conflict and agitation in the region, but its effective implementation remains a challenge.
The protesters and Chevron have expressed their willingness to negotiate and resolve the issues amicably, in the interest of peace and development in the region.
Source: Tribune Online
