Delta Oil Wells Suspended: Host Community Demands Recognition Under PIA
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Ifie-Kpoko community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State has taken drastic action against Chevron Nigeria Limited, effecting a complete shutdown of operations at the Macaraba oil field.
The community, which lays claim to OML 24 and 25, staged a peaceful protest to compel the company to recognise them as a host community and address longstanding grievances of marginalisation.
The protest, which took place on the waterways, saw community members in multiple speedboats storm the oil field, brandishing placards with strong messages.
Inscriptions included “Chevron will not operate our oil well until Ifie-Kpoko is fully recognized as your host community” and “Chevron give us our right or leave our land. Enough is enough.”
In an interview with our correspondent, the protesters voiced their weariness with what they termed Chevron’s deceitful and irresponsible game.
They described the company’s attitude towards them, despite their peaceful stance over the years, as distasteful and unbecoming of a corporation of Chevron’s stature.
The Ifie-Kpoko community protesters were unequivocal in their claim that OML 24 and 25 in the Macaraba field are located on their ancestral land.
They issued a stern warning to the oil multinational to stay off both wells if it is not ready to be lawful, accord the community its host community status, and allow them to enjoy all rights as stipulated in the PIA to fast-track growth and development in the area.
The protesters called on Chevron Nigeria Limited not to plunge the once-peaceful area into chaos.
They urged the company to immediately follow the precedent already laid since the time of Gulf, when they duly cooperated and recognised Ifie-Kpoko community as their host community, being the owners of the land where OML 24 and 25 are located.
At the time of filing this report, operations in the OML 25 Macaraba oil field have been completely shut down, with workers evacuated from the field.
The community has vowed to occupy the location until they get the desired result, while operators of the oil well have yet to react to the development.
