Ogheneruona Tejiri, Warri
Itsekiri ethnic group has vowed to occupy the entrance of the Warri Zonal office of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as protest enters day two.
Addressing Journalists on Tuesday at the scene, Mr Oritseweyinmi Emmanuel said that their action was premised on the perceived attempt by the Commission to alter the list of the constituted board of the PIA for Iwereland
It could recalled that the protesters commenced the indefinite protest on Monday, September 4, 2023 halting official activities in the Warri zonal office of the Commission.
Mr. Emmanuel, an opinion leader in Iwereland, specifically said that they would not leave the Commission’s entrance until the Olu of Warri, HM Ogiame Atuwatse 111 orders them to vacate.
He, on behalf of the protesters said that they were not bordered by the warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress.
Accordng to him, “whether there is nationwide strike or not, it is non of our business. NUPRC will not open until they give us a positive response.
“In fact, only the Olu of Warri can ask us to leave here,” he said.
Emmanuel said that few individuals in Itsekiri nation were trying to upturn the already constituted PIA board in the Iwereland.
He explained that at the commencement of the PIA, the Olu of Warri invited all the Itsekiri communities for several meetings and educated them on the provisions of the Act.
“We thereafter submitted our list of representatives. Now, some few individuals are trying to upturn what the Itsekiri people have done in conjunction with the Olu of Warri.
“We are saying that the PIA board set up by the Olu of Warri in conjunction with the people stands,” Emmanuel said.
The protesters armed themselves with placards bearing inscriptions like: “Allow IOC to do their jobs”, ” The Olu of Warri”s decision is final”, ” No more divide and rule”, “NUPRC must do the right thing” among others.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Joseph Tenuma said that it was a peaceful protest to register their grievances over the perceived alteration of the PIA board in Itsekiri nation.
Tenuma, who also spoke on behalf of the people noted that they were aware that some individuals in the NUPRC were trying to alter the already constituted PIA board in Iwereland.
“We are here on a peaceful protest to drive home our grievances that has to do with the composition of the PIA board which we perceived some individuals in NUPRC are trying to manipulate.
“The Olu of Warri, is the over lord of all the Itsekiri communities and we do know that there is already a properly constituted board by the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
“To that extent, they have done what they should have done in line with the law. So, we are saying that the board should not be tampered with by anybody, group or organisation,” he said.
Tenuma, an opinion leader in Itsekiri nation said that they would remain at the entrance of the Commission until further notice.
Also, Mr Clement Carpe, a concerned Itsekiri son expressed displeasure over the development, noting that some few individuals were trying to hold the Itsekiri nation to ransom.
“We are saying that enough is enough; the law must take it’s course; this is the time for the Itsekiri people to benefit from their resources; we will stay here until we achieve our aim,” he said.
The protesters catched fun in the heavy downpour that lasted several hours on Monday dancing to their traditional music supplied by a hired Disc Jockey.
Of course, a caterer was also hired to prepare food for the teeming protesters, an indication that they were not ready to shift grounds.
They also placed a dressed coffin at the entrance of the building.
