Oil Exploration: Only Olu of Warri Can Negotiate With Oil Firms, Says UIY
The Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths (UIY) has declared that the Olu of Warri remains the only authority mandated by the people of Warri Kingdom to negotiate with oil exploration companies operating in the area.
The group warned oil firms, including Chevron, against engaging with any individuals or groups outside the traditional institution of the Olu of Warri, insisting that such actions would be resisted.
UIY also issued Chevron a 21-day ultimatum to comply with its demands or risk a shutdown of the company’s operations within Warri Kingdom.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the National President of UIY, Comrade Joseph Okotie, and made available to journalists.
In the statement, the group accused Chevron of unprofessional conduct and prolonged marginalisation of Itsekiri communities, noting that the company’s operations cover several facilities within Warri Kingdom, including Abiteye, Olero, Otu Nana and Dibi flow stations.
According to UIY, despite decades of oil exploration and crude oil production in the area, host communities have been left without basic amenities such as electricity, employment opportunities, skills training and healthcare facilities.
The youths listed their demands to include fair employment opportunities for qualified Itsekiri youths across Warri South, Warri North, Warri South West and Warri Central, transparent and inclusive award of contracts to host community indigenes, structured empowerment and human capital development programmes, and full open camp access to all Itsekiri host communities.
UIY reiterated that all negotiations must be conducted exclusively through the Olu of Warri, stressing that any attempt by Chevron to engage other parties would attract stiff resistance. The group added that Ugborodo represents only a fraction of the Itsekiri host communities and cannot negotiate on behalf of the entire kingdom.
The youths warned that failure by Chevron to initiate negotiations through the Olu of Warri within the stipulated 21 days would result in a total shutdown of its operations across Warri Kingdom.
