BY TOSANATIE/ WARRI
THE Itsekiri youth apex body, Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth (UIY) of Warri kingdom, said it has issued a final warning to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), not to deal with anyone but the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse lll, on the ongoing protest at Ugborodo, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
This warning came on heels of the ongoing protest by the youths on alleged negligence and perceived high handedness by Chevron.
In a press briefing in Warri, read by the President of Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth (UIY), Mr. Joseph Okotie, he averred that only the Olu of Warri has the mandate to negotiate, saying “any other engagements will trigger total shutdown of Chevron operations across Warri Kingdom”, while it issued a 21-day Ultimatum.
“We, the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, the apex youth body of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, are gathered to issue this press briefing to address chevron over their unprofessional conduct and gross marginalization of our people over the years”, Okotie said.
Chevron’s operations span through the entirety of Warri such as Abiteye flow station, Olero, Otu Nana, Dibi flow Station and others.
Okotie alleged that “despite the barrels of crude oil generated from these locations in Warri kingdom over the years, Chevron has left our people in abject poverty. No electricity, no jobs, no training, no healthcare facility, but all we have gotten as host communities is complete neglect, exploitation and unemployment. Today, we are saying, “We will no longer allow it”.
“Our demands are clear, reasonable and rooted in equity and global best practices. They include employment opportunities for qualified itsekiri youths across Warri South, Warri North and Warri South West and Warri Central. Transparent and inclusive award of contracts to bonafide host community indigenes, structured empowerment, training and human capital development programmes. Most importantly, there should be full open camp access to all itsekiri host communities.
“We want to make it evidently clear that, just like the Warri Kingdom women had earlier stated, all negotiation must be made only through our king, the Olu of Warri.
“Any attempt by Chevron to negotiate with any other persons or group of persons will be met with stiff resistance.
“It is partinent to note that Ugborodo is just a fraction of Itsekiri host communities to Chevron. The Olu of Warri is the only trusted person that can negotiate on behalf of all itsekiri host communities.
“The youths of Warri kingdom are hereby giving Chevron 21 days for all necessary negotiation through our king, the Olu of Warri or face a total shutdown of all operations within Warri kingdom”, Okotie stated.
