The Egbema offshore communities in Warri North Local Government Area have issued a seven-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) over unresolved demands by the people.
They urged the oil company to address a series of long-standing and nascent demands in respect of ongoing operations in PML-49, among others, that are yet to be resolved.
The ultimatum, outlined in a press release signed by Comrade Mike Tiemo and 11 other community representatives, called for Chevron’s immediate attention to demands related to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Local Content Act, community development, and employment quotas.
The Egbema offshore communities accused Chevron of showing little interest in addressing the demands, which were formally communicated through multiple letters in the past years to date.
A copy of the press release made available to the press reads in part: “We the leaders and stakeholders of Egbema offshore communities hereby give Chevron Nigeria Limited seven days to meet our demands”.
They asserted that Chevron’s neglect of these legitimate demands had left them with no option but to press forward with the ultimatum.
The Egbema offshore communities’ grievances are focused on seven key areas including the establishment of the host community development trust, access to local content funds, Allocation of PIA three per cent Host Community Shares, Compensation for Legal and Advocacy Expenses and Provision of Christmas Food Items.
On the full implementation of the PIA Act, requiring Chevron to establish the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), they referenced Chevron’s May 10, 2022, and August 10–11, 2022, letters committing and notifying them of the transition towards a PIA-compliant structure but claimed that Chevron is yet to fulfil this obligation, employment opportunities for a community member.
They explained that the communities were seeking Chevron’s adherence to the Local Content Act, specifically requesting one-third (1/3) of offshore memorandum of understanding (OMOU) funds accrued since 2008, arguing that the monies should have funded community development projects, youth and women’s empowerment programs, and scholarships for Egbema indigent students.
The people pointed out that employment opportunities generated by Chevron, particularly in the departments of warehouse, mechanical integrity, drilling, and marine, should be directed to Egbema residents, stressing that over 150 positions were in contention.
The Egbema offshore communities’ leaders called on the Delta State Government and other regulatory bodies to intervene. They warned that Chevron’s reluctance to meet the communities’ demands could threaten peace in the area.
‘This ultimatum underscores the broader tensions between multinational corporations and host communities in the Niger Delta, where environmental impact, economic disparities, and issues of corporate accountability have been longstanding sources of friction in the Niger Delta region’, they stated.
EndBadGovernance: Minor faints in court before trial, Judge Retreats
A minor, who is among 76 persons set to be arraigned yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja for participating in the recent EndBadGovernance protest held across the country, collapsed before the commencement of the trial.
The defendant, who is barely 15 years old, slumped as the charge was about to be read to them by trial Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
The incident forced the judge to abruptly stop the proceedings and return to his chambers.
The frail-looking boy was rushed to the court’s clinic as his co-defendants, who are mostly minors, wept uncontrollably.
One of the counsels representing the defendants, Mr Deji Adeyanju had earlier disclosed that the minors had spent over 80 days in police custody.
He also revealed that the 76 defendants, who will be answering to a 10-count charge marked: FCH/ABJ/CS/503/2024, are among many others who were arrested in Abuja and Kano state during the protest.
Specifically, police, in the charge that was signed by its team of lawyers led by DCP Simon Lough SAN, alleged that the defendants, alongside others that are currently at large, had between July 31 and August 4, at Abuja and Kano metropolis, while acting in concert and with intent to destabilize Nigeria, conspired together to commit a felony.
It alleged that the defendants committed treason, an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 97 of the Code.
