The people of the oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State today said they have suspended further protests against Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) just as they issued a notice to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to negotiate with them with regards to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The meeting was held in the town hall of Ode-Ugborodo, the headquarters of Ugborodo.
Alex Eyengho, who spoke on behalf of the community, said they suspended the protest against CNL to make room for further discussions.
Eyengho pointed out that the Ugborodo community has held several meetings with CNL after its recent protest against the international oil company.
He further confirmed that there had been a tripartite meeting involving the community, CNL, and a national regulatory commission over the matter.
According to Eyengho, “Chevron is showing some commitment as it concerns the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.”
He said the community demanded a trust different from others in Itsekiriland.
The community resolved that its trust should be known as “Ekpere Host Communities Development Trust,” he stated, stressing that the action is not in disrespect to anyone but in compliance with the PIA stipulations.
He further disclosed that the Ugborodo community has issued Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which also operates in its domain, a seven-day notice to negotiate directly with its people, as CNL is currently doing.
“CNL is doing the right thing. We have served SPDC a seven-day notice to comply with the extant law guiding the PIA,” he said.
In its recent protest, the community demanded that CNL provide its indigenes with electricity, water, empowerment, and job opportunities.
Eyengho declared that “CNL has made commitments to attend to it.”
The personal assistant to the Eghare-Aja of the Ugborodo community, Joseph Uwawah, corroborated Eyengho’s claims.
The meeting was attended by Chief Ayirimi Emami, Ologbitsere of Warri Kingdom, Eghare Daniel Uwawah, the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo community, Prince Perry Atete, and a cross-section of Ugborodo indigenes.
