The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has condemned decades of neglect and marginalization of his people by oil companies operating in Itsekiriland, declaring that such treatment will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking at a world press conference in the riverine community of Jakpa on Saturday, the monarch removed what he called “all pretense,” stating bluntly: “My people have been marginalized and deprived. And this treatment comes to an end today. This is not about contracts for a few. It is about dignity for all.”
The traditional ruler lamented that despite over 60 years of oil production from Itsekiri land, which has generated hundreds of billions of dollars for Nigeria, the oil-producing communities remain impoverished, frustrated, and neglected.
“Yes, the records confirm what the nation already knows: this tribe called Itsekiri, in the western corner of the Niger Delta is one of the geese that lays the golden eggs for Nigeria. Yet, paradoxically, our people remain poor, frustrated, and neglected,” he said.
The Root Causes
Ogiame Atuwatse attributed this situation to several factors, including indifferent regulatory attitudes, divide-and-rule tactics by oil companies, a culture that tolerates oppression, and internal betrayal by some Itsekiri individuals driven by greed and selfishness.
He reserved harsh words for fellow Itsekiri people who he said have been compromising the collective interest for personal gain. “These so-called leaders worship only one god. And that god is none other than their stomach. Because they worship this false god, the land suffers,” the monarch declared.
He warned such individuals that if they refuse to change and continue selling out the people for personal gain, “You will reap the consequences of your actions. You will become a plague wherever you go.”
Direct Message to Chevron
The Olu addressed Chevron directly, acknowledging that the company chose to remain onshore when others moved offshore to avoid community accountability. While welcoming the company’s presence, he cautioned against mistaking the peaceful nature of his people for weakness.
“Before your arrival as Gulf Oil, our people in these communities lived better lives than they do today,” he said. “Peace without justice is not sustainable. And it is becoming increasingly difficult—even irresponsible—to ask our people to continue accepting this unjust pattern.”
Clear Demands
The traditional ruler outlined seven priority areas for development in Itsekiri oil-producing communities:
- Electricity and connectivity
- Portable water
- Healthcare
- Education
- Accessibility
- Gainful employment for locals
- Environmental protection and economic opportunities
He emphasized that employment should be meaningful, not tokenistic. “We are not here for window dressing, or to be considered as part of the landscape, or to be treated as necessary evil. Employ our people,” he insisted.
Palace Intervention
Using the Ogidigben electricity project as an example, the monarch revealed that Shell’s 1990 promise was only fulfilled after three decades when the palace intervened directly three years ago. He vowed that the palace would no longer watch from a distance.
“The palace is standing up for her people. We bring our voice, our authority, and our clout to stand with every oil-bearing community in Itsekiriland,” Ogiame Atuwatse declared.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Tinubu, while calling for alignment between economic interests and the quality of life for host communities.
The monarch concluded by declaring a new era for oil-bearing communities in Itsekiriland: “We seek development. We seek peace. We seek partnership. But we insist on justice. Let it be peaceful. Let it be equitable. Let it be firm. Let it be irreversible.”
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