Hundreds of youths from Ifie-Kporo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have shut down operations at the Macaraba oil field over alleged marginalisation by the operating company.
The protesters reportedly arrived at the facility in speedboats on Tuesday, demanding recognition of their community as a host community and greater employment opportunities for their youths.
The demonstration centred on Wells 24 and 25, which the protesters claimed were located on their ancestral land.
Carrying placards with messages including “We Want Justice,” “Employ Our Youths” and “Give Us Our Rights or Leave Our Land,” the youths accused the company of operating in their territory without adequately recognising or engaging the community.
One of the protesters, identified as Tosan, said the community had been unfairly treated and insisted that the occupation would continue until its demands were addressed.
The protesters urged the operating company to recognise Ifie-Kporo as a host community in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
They also cited Gulf’s alleged recognition and engagement with the community as an example they wanted the current operator to follow.
The youths warned that continued neglect of their grievances could threaten peace in the area, urging the company to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
The protest adds to longstanding concerns among oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta over host community recognition, employment opportunities and access to benefits from petroleum operations.
