Abigborodo and Obagboro communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, on Friday, staged a peaceful protest to assert their ownership of Kuri field.
The demonstrators, consisting of women and youths, arrived at the Kuri field platform in boats, expressing their outrage over the alleged attempt by Makaraba and Omadino communities in Warri South Local Government Area, with the support of influential individuals in the government, to claim ownership of the field.
Speaking to journalists, Hon. Barr Misan Ukubehinje and Mr. Austin Ogbemi, chairmen of Abigborodo and Obagboro communities, respectively, voiced their concerns.
They stated that imposters and other groups were forcefully taking away their land. leaders from the communities emphasized that they would not permit the company to operate until a roundtable discussion was held, and government intervention was sought.
They also criticized the fraudulent behaviour of the oil and gas committee set up to oversee the ownership case alleging that their decisions were made based on politics and fear, without proper authority.
“The decisions made by the committee are unacceptable, and we demand a thorough investigation. We have various means to protect our interests, even in the face of military intervention,” asserted Ukubehinje.
Mr. Austin Ogbemi, Chairman of Obagboro Community, emphasized that the Kuri field falls within the jurisdiction of Warri North and belongs to Obagboro and Abigborodo communities.
He argued that Makaraba and Omadino communities, located in Warri South, had no claim to the Kuri field.
Ogbemi urged authorities to recognize their rightful ownership.
The protesters called on the state and federal governments to intervene before the situation escalated into a crisis.
They emphasized their commitment to pursuing their rights through lawful means.
Some of the placards carried by the demonstrators read, “Kuri field belongs to us,” “Don’t deprive us of our rights,” and “Makaraba and Omadino have no place in Kuri field”.
Responding on behalf of SHN Energy Limited after a brief meeting with some leaders of the protesters, Mr Augustine Okwazu said, “The community came for a peaceful protest, and we discussed. I will pass their demands to the management, which in turn will reach back to them” he said
Abigborodo community had earlier addressed an open letter to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State. The letter highlighted the alleged illegal and oppressive actions of the Honourable Commissioner for Oil & Gas, Delta State, the Surveyor General of Delta State, and SHN Energy Limited expressing concerns that these actions could lead to a crisis in Delta State and called for immediate intervention.
According to the community, Abigborodo is an oil-producing community with proprietary and customary rights over the land hosting PPL 222 (Kuri Field).
They claim that the award of the Kuri Field to Shepard Hill Petroleum Development Limited and Nord Oil APS & Energy Limited affirmed their ownership.
The community further alleged that SHN Energy Limited, in collaboration with the Honourable Commissioner for Oil & Gas, attempted to stifle their claims and continue exploiting the crude oil reserves on their land without proper recognition.
Abigborodo Community accused SHN Energy Limited of causing environmental degradation to their fishing camps and farms through their operations on the Kuri field.
They also claimed that the company failed to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment, violating Nigerian laws.
The community appealed to Governor Oborevwori to intervene and ensure that Abigborodo Community is recognized as the rightful host community in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
They requested the establishment of a committee comprising individuals with integrity to review the matter and make recommendations that would promote peace and harmony among the affected communities.
However, all attempts to reach Vincent Oyibode, Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas to respond to the allegation of backing Makaraba and Omadino on the Kuri Field dispute were in vain as his number was unreachable and text sent to him was not replied.
The situation remains tense as the communities await a response from the government and seek a resolution to the ownership dispute over the Kuri field.
