Residents of the oil-rich Egbemo Angalabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have staged a peaceful protest to express outrage over alleged marginalization by oil companies operating in their area.
The protesters, numbering in their thousands, directly accused Renaissance Africa Energy Company and Oando Plc of impoverishing their community. They claimed the companies consistently refused to employ qualified locals or award them contracts, despite their eligibility under the Local Content Act.
Warning of further action, the protesters vowed to shut down all oil and gas operations in the area if the companies failed to reverse the current trend of exclusion.
During the protest at the premises of Renaissance Africa Energy Company and Oando Plc, the demonstrators demanded that the firms develop the host community by providing essential infrastructure such as potable water, hospitals, and electricity.
They pointed out that despite hosting over 100 oil wells and three flow stations, none of the youths from Egbemo Angalabiri’s 14 villages had received employment or contracts from the companies. They insisted that this grossly violates the Local Content Act.
Engr. Lokiri Lawrence, Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Tarakiri Clan, addressed journalists on behalf of the community. He said the protest aimed to draw the attention of both the federal and state governments, as well as the oil companies, to the worsening plight of the people.
Engr. Lawrence accused the companies of outsourcing jobs that qualified local youths could easily handle. “Years ago, they claimed our people lacked the required certifications. But today, we have graduates in petroleum engineering, marine studies, geology, and law. Still, these companies refuse to employ them,” he said.
He further noted that many local youths own equipment suitable for oil and marine operations, yet the companies have continuously denied them contracts or opportunities to contribute to the companies’ activities.
“Our youths remain unemployed, our elders and women suffer, and our community lacks basic amenities. Despite being surrounded by wealth, we live in deprivation,” he lamented.
Barr. Benneth Joseph Ebikon, a youth spokesperson and human rights activist, criticized the companies for violating the Nigerian Constitution, the Local Content Act, and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He accused Renaissance Africa Energy Company and Oando Plc of failing to engage with the community since taking over from Shell (SPDC) and Agip.
“These companies have taken over our land without dialogue. The Local Content Act stipulates that all unskilled jobs and 50% of semi-skilled contracts should go to the host community, while skilled roles should include at least 10% local participation. These provisions are being ignored,” Ebikon stated.
Community leaders, Mr. Noro Raphael and Mr. Benjamin Bide, also reiterated their demand for a dialogue with the oil companies. They urged the firms to employ both skilled and unskilled youth and to train others on the job.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to intervene. Our people are suffering in the midst of abundance. We need jobs, contracts, and development. We seek peace, and that’s why we have chosen the path of peaceful protest,” they emphasized.
