The people of Irri community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State in a protest, have vowed to shutdown exploration activities by OANDO an oil company operating in the area over its negligence and marginalization of the community for the past eight years.
Displaying inscription such as, ‘We Need Electricity’, ‘We Need Employment’, ‘Irri Need Gas Turbine’, ‘Our Skills Acquisition Centre/Hospital Are Dormant’, ‘We Are Being Marginalised’, ‘We Need Our Fair Share’, ‘No single Project Since 2017’, ‘We Need PIA Project’, ‘We need our graduate working in Oando, among others the protesters halted oil operations until their demands are met.
Speaking to newsmen during the protest, President General of Irri Development Union, Mr John Ozaveva Eweh said, “NOAC now OANDO have been operating in our community for many years without anything visible contribution to the development of the community.
“We have written several letters, made series of requests, but to no avail. They are in our land working and exploiting our God- given resources without giving regard to our community were they operate.
According Eweh, “The company is hiding under the PIA to deny the community what is due and expected from them. The PIA did not tell them not to respect our Odio-Ologbo.The PIA did not tell them not to respond to letters.
“Our request are written on the various placards and if our demands are not met, we will shut down all oil exploration activities in their community.” He said.
Also speaking, Odio Silas Efajemue, Odio in Council, who represented the Odiologbo of Irri, HRM Simon Wajutome Odhomo, Igbogidi I, said, “We need light, we have been crying for this light over the years that they have been operating here.
“The PIA act that was signed into law by the Federal Government, the company has failed to adhere to it.
“We need our sons and daughters to be employed in the company, we can’t be running to Kwale just to submit letters and our request for the Public Affairs Department unit there.
“Since OANDO took over this place, they have not pay a courtesy visit to His Majesty. So we don’t know who is operating here, whether its AGIP or OANDO.
“The company has abandoned terms and conditions as stipulated in the GMOU, since 2017, till date, they are still owing us.
Representatives of the Odiologbo Hon Efewomazino Okiroro Otuaga and Prince Olomu Chris Ewomazino, Landlord Chairman of the Community, said, “The protest is long overdue because the company operating in the area has neglected the community.
“It has been long that the company deviated from the GMOU which was signed since 2015 and the last project done by the company in the community was in 2017.”
They vowed to shut down all oil exploration activities in the community if their demands were not met, noting that as host community to OANDO an Oil Company operating in the area, they deserved better deal.
