Indigenes of Ugborodo Community in Delta State’s Warri South-West Local Government Area set up a shrine of a frightening idol in front of the Chevron Escravos Gas to Liquid (EGTL) facility on Wednesday to protest the company’s claimed non-implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The placard-carrying protestors who blocked the facility’s gate claimed that the idol, known as “Ogbejugbele,” was not damaging to Chevron employees, but that having it there was a symbolic exhibition to convey that their ancestors were furious with the firm.
Protesters have stated that they will not leave Chevron’s installations unless the federal government convinces the oil multinational to do so.
They presented 41 demands, including a demand that Chevron implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Ikpere Host Community PIA, as agreed by the National Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURPC), as well as provide jobs to youths and Ugborodo and Itsekiri indigenes.
Helen Uremure, a community leader, told reporters that they staged the protest because Chevron failed to satisfy its corporate social duties to the neighborhood.
She claims that Ugborodo has nothing to show for Chevron’s presence in their village for the last 60 years.
“We have not received anything from Chevron. No employment, no contract. Even our elders, there is nothing to support them. They’re cheating on us,” she said.
“Some of our boys are graduates, but Chevron refused to convert them. They’re just doing labourer’s jobs.”
Another indigene, Julie Iwetan, who also spoke with Platinum Times, said the people of Ugborodo are hungry and suffering.
A youth, Ukueyinden Ajuetsi, said the community lacks basic amenities like potable water and light, stressing that there’s no job for them.
A community leader, Joseph Ireyefoju, noted that there’s ongoing maintenance work in the facility but Chevron had brought workers from outside without considering the indigenes of Ugborodo community.
He said this showed that Chevron does not respect the local content law.
One of the leaders of the peaceful protest, Augustine Iyinbo, told DAILY POST, “We will not leave until they (Chevron) do the needful.”
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