The people of Irri community in Isoko South Council Area, Delta State, have threatened to shut down operations of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company over an alleged violation of agreement between them.
Different organs of the community leadership had few days ago, handed Agip a 10-day ultimatum to vacate their land or face mass protest and occupation of its facilities.
The community is accusing Agip, which operates a flow station and other oil installations in the kingdom, of violating agreements between both parties.
Other allegations are continued casualization of Irri indigenes working in the company in the past 16 years, and refusal to employ qualified Irri indigenes on permanent basis.
The community leader also alleged that Agip had been awarding contracts for catering, surveillance and other services to non-indigenes, thereby depriving the community of job and empowerment opportunities.
The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government, Itiako Ikpokpo KSM, has moved to avert what threatens to be a major crisis between oil-rich Irri community and the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).
At the weekend, the council chairman called a meeting between representatives of both parties in Oleh to look into the matter and nip the crisis in the bud.
However, Agip shunned the meeting despite being invited, as the company was neither represented nor did it send words to explain its absence.
Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of Irri community, Chief Godday Igorigo, ventilated the community’s grievances, saying Agip had continued to create security challenges by dishonoring its agreement with Irri.
He listed the company’s sins to include refusal to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community since the expiration of the last one in 2016.
Igorigo also accused Agip of refusing to award scholarship to selected Irri students in the last five years.
He added that the company had continued to employ foreigners to do jobs for which the community had “surplus expertise.”
Read Also: Police nab 9 illegal bunkering suspects in Delta
Igorigo alleged that Irri and its people were worse off with Agig as the company’s presence had not brought any economic and infrastructural development to the land.
This, according to him, is in the face of “monumental health challenges arising from oil exploration and its attendant degradation of our soil”.
He further said the community was angry over Agip’s “gross nonchalance and outright disregard” of its people, including the king.
Responding, Ikpokpo appealed to the leadership of the community to exercise restraint and allow the local government to handle the matter amicably.
He blamed the growing trend of frosty relationship between oil companies and host communities on the divide-and-rule tactics of the companies.
The council boss expressed concern over Agip’s absence at the meeting despite being duly invited, even as he described as germane the agitations of the community.
He warned that the local government would not tolerate situations where companies deploy all manner of subterfuge in their dealings with host communities which in most cases result in unpredictable reactions and breakdown of law and order.
You may be interested
Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent
Webby - November 16, 2024Former Falconets forward Opeyemi Ajakaye has joined USL Super League club, Carolina Ascent FC on loan.Ajakaye linked up with Carolina…
Orban’s Lyon Face Provisional Relegation To Ligue 2 Amid Financial Woes
Webby - November 15, 2024Olympique Lyon the club of Nigerian striker Gift Orban, have been handed a provisional Ligue 1 relegation by theDNCG who…
Ghana Miss Out On AFCON 2025 Qualification After Draw With Angola
Webby - November 15, 2024Black Stars of Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s AFCON was ended after they played a 1-1 draw away…