Ijaw Community Threatens To Disrupt Oil Firm’s Operations Over Neglect

The people of Gelegele community in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State have threatened to disrupt operations of an oil company over alleged neglect and marginalisation.

They urged the government to address the gas flaring and lack of basic infrastructure in the community just as they gave a 14-day ultimatum to the federal and state governments to address their plight.

While protesting their neglect, the community warned that if the governments fail to address their basic needs, they would have no option but to shut down all the company’s operations in their community.

The chairman of Gelegele executive council, Mr. Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, said over 300 communities had been cut off from the rest of the state due to a lack of access roads.

He also lamented the absence of functional hospitals, stating that the only secondary school in the community was dilapidated, lacking chairs and teachers.

He questioned why their community had been excluded from NDDC projects, why their ecosystem had been devastated by oil exploration since 1963, and why they had no representatives in the Edo State House of Assembly or the Edo State Executive Council.

When contacted, the Edo State commissioner for information and orientation, Hon. Paul Ohnbamu, did not pick repeated calls to his line but a senior aide to the governor who did not want his name mentioned said, “For the issue of gas flaring it is an issue at the doorsteps of the federal government but I know the governor will definitely raise it with the relevant authorities because he is passionate about the people of the state.

“As for development, I can assure you that the Governor Okpebholo administration will not leave any part of the state out, they should be patient but they will be reached.”