Oil-producing communities within the Olero Creek field of Delta State have again warned of a looming shutdown of operations, insisting that decades of neglect by government have pushed them to the brink of revolt.
The communities have vowed that they will no longer tolerate the absence of basic amenities and the exclusion of their people from employment opportunities in the oil sector.
Their renewed warning follows a fresh mobilisation by community leaders who say residents are “restless” and willing to take drastic action if government at all levels fails to act urgently.
During a press conference in Warri at the weekend, leaders from Ebrohimi, Obaghoro, Tebu, Gbokoda, Aja-Amita, Udo, Jakpa and surrounding settlements said the living conditions in the oil-rich area remain deplorable despite their long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s crude output.
Speaking jointly, Dr. Roland Ukuesan (Field Chairman), Samson Ogboduwa (Field Secretary) and Canaan Ajagbawa (Community Leader) accused government of abandoning communities that help sustain the nation’s economy.
“The continued neglect of the communities has caused death and untold hardship,” they said.
“Our people are exposed to health risks due to lack of potable water and electricity, and the absence of these basic facilities continues to limit social and economic development.”
The leaders described their demands as “non-negotiable,” stressing that justice and fairness must be extended to the people of Olero Creek.
“These demands are non-negotiable, as they represent the barest minimum of justice and fairness owed to our people,” they noted. “Our people are already restless and will be ready to do all within their reach to attract the attention of the government at all levels and the world.”
In a jointly signed statement, the communities said their settlements remain in “perpetual darkness” despite decades of oil exploration in the area.
“The irony remains that while resources extracted from our land sustain the nation, our people are left without the most basic necessities of life, including healthcare,” they added. “Is it justifiable for the communities that lay the golden eggs for our state and the nation to continue to be treated with such disregard?”
They called on the Federal government to urgently intervene by dredging waterways leading into the Olero Creek region to improve access and security.
The communities also demanded a fair employment policy prioritising Olero indigenes and strict adherence to the Federal Government’s recently approved host-community contracting policy, which mandates patronage of contractors from producing areas.
They urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately commence internal road construction, shore protection and sand-filling works, development of a housing estate, and the provision of functional health centres, potable water and electricity.
“These are in line with the M.O.R.E Agenda of the state government,” the leaders stressed, insisting that the development needs of Olero Creek communities can no longer be ignored.
- Media Report