Members of Ifie-kporo Community, host to Well 24 and 25 in Macaraba oil field in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, which are operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, have effected a complete shutdown of operations in the two oil wells following what they described as gross marginalisation and failure of the company to properly recognise and engage with the community as their host community.
The communities effected the shutdown of operations in both wells during a peaceful protest to register their grievances and force Chevron Nigeria Limited to comply with standard best practices as regards oil companies’ engagement with the host communities in their areas of operations.
The protesters in multiple speedboats stormed the oil field carrying placards with different inscriptions including, “Chevron, you can’t belittle our community and refuse to recognise Ifie-Kporo Community as host”; “Chevron, give us our right or leave our land. Enough is enough” and “Chevron will not operate our oil well until Ifie-Kporo is fully recognised as your host community” among others.
Speaking in an interview, some of the protesters said they are tired of the deceitful and irresponsible game Chevron has been playing with them.
While noting that they were going to occupy the location until they get the desired result, the protesters described the attitude of Chevron towards them despite their peaceful disposition over the years as distasteful and one that is unbecoming of a company like Chevron.
The Ifie-kporo Community protesters were emphatic that Well 24 and 25 in Macaraba field, being operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, are located in their ancestral land, sending a stern warning to the oil multinational to stay off both wells if they are not ready to be lawful, accord the community its host community status and allow the community to enjoy all her rights as stipulated in the PIA to fast-track growth and development in Ifie-kporo.
While calling on Chevron Nigeria Limited not to plunge the once peaceful area into chaos, the protesters urged the company to immediately follow the precedent already laid since the time of Gulf, when they duly cooperated and recognised Ifie-kporo community as their host community, being the owners of the land where Well 24 and 25 are located.
At the time of this report, operations in Well 24 and 25 of the Macarava oil field have been completely shut down, with workers evacuated from the field.
