Nyerhovwo Oghenetejiri
Protesting Oil and Gas people of Orogun Communities numbering well over 2000 made up of men, women, youths, chiefs, leaders among others have shut down production on Oil Mining Lease, OML, 30 grounding activities at the flow station just as they vowed to remain there making the facility idle until its operator, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) addresses their grievances.
The development meant an indefinite halt to estimated 44, 880 barrels per day crude oil production at the Erhoike Flow Station valued at over N1.8 Billion per day at the international oil market.
Speaking to Our Correspondent, Hon. Morris Ochuko Idiovwa, leader of the Federated communities and General Overseer of the protest said that over 2000 women, youths and men of 12 Orogun communities came out as early as 6am, moved into the Erhoike Flow Station, Ethiope East Local Government Area and ensured all workers were evicted and oil operations grounded before laying siege at the facility gates to ensure no worker comes in to work.
Defending their actions, Hon. Idiovwa said, “For over fifty years, SPDC has marginalised host Orogun communities on this facility. When SPDC divested to NPDC, the communities were not involved. They wrote letters calling for communities’ representation. The next minute we saw publications that Shell has divested to NPDC. Since then none of the women, youths and men you see here have had a single management slot or unskilled worker engaged by NPDC and Shoreline, yet this Flow Station is tied to over 42 oil wells. In January, NPDC made a publication rating this Flow Station second highest producing in the whole of Delta Central under OML 30. In spite of that the communities are extremely poor.
The leader of the protesters added, “In the whole of Orogun, there is no medical facility. Our market is terrible. Women, youths, community leaders are extremely marginalised. We have said to Shoreline, NPDC, if they cannot meet our demands, they should leave our land. They must renew all rents and leases; give us a percentage of production. We are ready to defend our rights, our resources with the last drop of our blood till the issues are resolved.”
Mrs. Mary Dohwovevuroye Obuko, Women leader of the communities added
her voice thus, “when NPDC was taking over the mess SPDC left the community in 2013, they said they were aware of the issues and promised to remedy them. After six months they came up with quick win projects. They made our people borrow money. They have not paid for the projects as promised. They turned it kill quick project.”
The communities who said their initial appeal for dialogue and extended ultimatum have fallen to deaf ears said they are tired of NPDC making unfulfilled promises its predecessor operator made, adding, “The Commander of 222 Battalion, Agbarha and the Divisional Police Officer, Orogun made efforts to intervene, they did not give them listening ears. The military men are here maintaining peace. Should they deviate from maintaining peace as our protest is peaceful, we are ready to defend our rights with our blood.”
The 222 Battalion Team Leader on guard at the Flow Station, Lt. S.S. Jatau and DPO Orogun, Peter Okoh who led a team of his Division to the scene later both talked to the protesters to be calm and law abiding about their protest, saying NPDC authorities have been reached and making efforts to open dialogue.
Orogun men and youths during protest against NPDC Erhoike Flowstation
Some inscriptions on the placards they bore reads, “NPDC Pay Us Our Rents, Degeneration of our land must Stop”, “Pay Us Our Rents and Leases”. “NPDC/Shoreline Must Meet Our Demands, Over 50years of Oppression Must Stop,” “We Say NO to Marginalization,” “Go Away Crazy Imperialists and Capitalists,” among many others.
NPDC filed officials on ground who pleaded anonymity said they are not aware of the issues, adding that they only came for routine operations only to notice that communities have shut in operations, refusing access to them.
A senior external relations official who equally asked not to be quoted said it is good that NPDC just got a new Managing Director, adding that the situation gives hope that the grievances, including those of other host communities would soon be tabled and resolved amicably.
