From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
On Tuesday, April 15, over a thousand residents of Irri community in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, began protesting against Oando Plc, accusing the oil company of “high-handedness and neglect.”
The demonstration continued into Wednesday, disrupting operations at Oando’s Oil Mining Lease (OML) 60 Flow Station, which supplies 60-70% of gas to the Kwale/Okpai Gas Plant.
Protesters, including men, women, and youths, blocked the flow station’s entrance, halting company activities. They slaughtered two cows to prepare food, vowing to remain until their demands were met.
Placards read: “We Need Electricity,” “No Project Since 2017”, “Respect Our Traditional Rulers,” “We Want Indigenous Contractors,” and “Oando Stop Exploiting Irri.” Tensions rose when Oando deployed a helicopter to evacuate workers, further angering the crowd.
The community accused Oando of ignoring the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and failing to engage in dialogue.
The Irri community president criticised Oando’s use of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to dodge responsibilities, stating, “The PIA does not exempt the company from respecting community leaders or responding to their concerns.”
HRH Simon Wajutome, Odiologbo of Irri, highlighted years of marginalization, saying, “We have submitted numerous letters and initiated negotiations, yet no progress has been made. They operate on our land, extracting our resources, but provide no benefits in return, not even a courtesy visit to us since they commenced operations.” He issued a two-week ultimatum for Oando to act.
Isoko South Local Government Chairman Friday Ovoke Warri condemned Oando’s neglect despite multiple letters but urged calm, assuring protesters that authorities were informed. Military personnel, led by Captain K.O. Popoola, appealed for non-violence while relaying grievances to higher authorities.