Ijaw People In Delta Shut Chevron Facilities Over Warri Ward, Polling Station Delineation

Nelson Utip

Women and youths of Ijaw origin in Warri, Delta State recently shut down key Chevron flow stations to protest the non-implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward and polling unit delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency.

The protesters were from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Egbema and Diebiri Kingdoms. They occupied major oil facilities, including the Abiteye, Olero Creek, Dibi Field and Opuekeba flow stations, demanding immediate implementation of the delineation report presented by INEC following a Supreme Court directive.

The protesters carried placards, sang solidarity songs while insisting that the delineation exercise was necessary to ensure fair political representation for communities in the constituency.

Their action disrupted operations at several facilities, including Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye, and Makaraba flow stations.

They claimed that about 400,000 barrels of crude oil production per day had been shut in as a result of the protest while

vowing to sustain the shutdown until INEC begins implementation of the delineation report.

However, as tensions rose, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has convened a peace meeting in Asaba with leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.

In attendance at the meeting were ethnic leaders, security chiefs and government officials, the focus was on maintaining peace and preventing the dispute from escalating into violence.

“In fulfilment of the fourth pillar of our MORE Agenda, today I held an emergency peace parley with leaders of the three ethnic nationalities Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri in Warri Federal Constituency at Government House, Asaba. Going forward, they assured Deltans of lasting peace…” Governor Oboreivwori said.