‘Devastated Delta Oil Community Begins Protest’ 6 March 2022

The people of Iwhrekan, an oil and gas producing community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have threatened massive protest over what they termed long years of neglect by oil companies operating in the locality. They said that they have run out of patience and appealed to the federal and state governments to come to the aid of the people and rescue them from health, economic and social challenges due to environmental degradation, including pollution of water bodies and farmlands resulting from oil exploitation. The Iwhrekan people stated this at one-day ‘Community Diagnostic Dialogue’ held in the community hall at the weekend, organized by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which vowed to partner negatively impacted communities to address environment injustice.

…Speaking on behalf of Iwhrekan community, Elder Victor Onokere, said that although they are host community to ND Western (formerly SPDC) with the first and second phases of the multi-billion dollar Utorogu Gas Plant, the people have nothing to show for it than destroyed fishing water, farmlands, houses and all manner of health challenges. He said that the oil and gas companies have apparently been taking the community for granted because Iwherekan has been too quiet as a peace loving community. Onokere said, “We are calling on the ND Western, they are the people in charge, all these companies we have mentioned today, they are working with them. There are contractors working under ND Western. We will stage a protest for the whole world to hear us, to know what we are suffering here.