The communities under the aegis of Movement for the Development of Itsekiri Oil/Gas Producing Communities (MDIOGPC) also accused the President Buhari’s administration of deliberate projects abandonment in their homeland that contributes over 28 percent of the revenue profile of Nigeria through the oil and gas resources in their land.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman, Mr. Isaac Botosan; Secretary, Irone Maurice and Publicity Secretary Mr. Steve Atete respectively and read by Mr. Besidone Eyengho at a press conference held at Ode-Ugborodo, Escravos the people accused Mr. President of abandoning the Ogidigben EPZ and Deep Sea Port projects among others saying that the level of marginalization can no longer be tolerated.
The statement titled “urgent need for President Muhammadu Buhari to address the outright marginalization of Itsekiri Nation in project execution, employment opportunities and the recently announced 57 Marginal Fields offers or we shut down operations of International Oil and Gas Companies (OICs) in our land”, also expressed disgust over non-execution of the koko-Ogheye road and the Omadino-Escravos road projects.
The MDIOGPC therefore made a 6-point demand as follows: that the Federal Government immediately put a halt to the current process of bids for the 57 Marginal Fields and come up with new modalities, where competent companies owned by Itsekiri Sons and Daughters, would be given “right of first refusal on fields in our homeland, before being thrown open to outsiders.
If competent companies owned by Itsekiri indigenes are not considered by DPR for the 57 Marginal Fields with immediate effect, we will shut-down operations of the Multi-National Oil and Gas Companies (IOCs) operating in our homelands.
The Federal Government should order immediate resumption of work at the Multi-Billion Dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project, GRIP, Ogidigben and Deep Sea Port in Warri South- West Local Government Area, Delta State.
Direct the relevant MDAs/IOCs to embark on large scale shore protection/sand-filling projects in Itsekiri riverine/oil producing communities.
Institute processes for the facilitation of the abandoned age-long Omadino – Escravos Road and, Oil the machineries for commencement of the Koko/Ogheye Road Project, which has remained a mere campaign tool for successive administrations, despite its strategic importance to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta and the South-West.
According to the Itsekiri group, “We eagerly await speedy action on the aforementioned demands to avert a fresh crisis in the Oil and Gas Industry”.
