Last night, a group of protesters from Ugborodo, Deghele, and Ugboegungun, the host communities of the Otumara Flow Station in Delta State, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), gained access to the oil and gas facility, putting at risk the loss of 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
This development comes on the heels of the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum issued to SPDC on Wednesday when the peaceful protest began.
The protesters allege that SPDC‘s actions are contrary to the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by failing to engage with the Otumara Host Community Trust representing the three communities.
Reports indicate that the protesters entered the facility at precisely 5:00 p.m. when the ultimatum lapsed.
Mr. Alex Eyengho, a leader of the Ugborodo community, confirmed the occupation of the SPDC facility as of 6:00 p.m. yesterday, and video footage received supported his statement.
Eyengho stated, “The protesters are currently inside the Shell facility after the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum. I urge you to report this accurately. For now, the protesters are refraining from shutting down the facility.”
However, he cautioned the Nigerian troops stationed at the facility, urging them to exercise restraint and avoid confrontations with peaceful protesters.
He said, “I dare say that security agencies should avoid any provocative actions, unless they are prepared to harm thousands of protesters and the people of Ugborodo, Deghele, and Ugboegungun, who are the host communities of the Otumara Shell facility. The 48-hour ultimatum expired at exactly 5:00 p.m. today, and the protesters gained access shortly after.”
When questioned about the possibility of shutting down operations at the facility and the attitude of the Nigerian troops on-site, Eyengho responded, “We are peacefully waiting for Shell, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and his Gas counterpart. SPDC authorities have indicated their willingness to visit Otumara tomorrow morning, accompanied by the NUPRC. This situation is beyond the capacity of the soldiers to resist, unless they wish to see casualties on the Escravos River.”
These host communities had previously established the Otumara Host Community Trust to engage with NUPRC in compliance with the community-based implementation of the PIA.
A similar dispute is pending between the Ugborodo Federated Communities in the Warri South West Local Government Area, which have formed the Ikpere Host Community Trust for PIA implementation.
SPDC and Chevron Nigeria Ltd. (CNL) have faced allegations of failing to adequately engage with their host communities.
It is worth recalling that residents of these communities had previously staged a protest at the Security House Boat of the SPDC Otumara Flow Station, where they displayed banners with various inscriptions.
During this demonstration, they issued a 48-hour ultimatum to SPDC, effective from Wednesday, August 23, following the expiry of an earlier 30-day ultimatum issued to the company.
The protest was closely monitored by SPDC security personnel, as well as Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo Federated Communities, Eghare-Daniel Uwawah, and Mr. Isaac Botosan, among others.