By Adesina Wahab

A group, the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, UIY, has said it is the Olu of Warri that has the mandate of the people of Warri Kingdom to negotiate with oil prospecting firms operating in the kingdom and has therefore warned oil firms, including Chevron, not to relate with any other persons or groups except the monarch.

This is just as it gave Chevron 21-day ultimatum to toe the line of obeying their demands or risk a shut down of its operations in the area.

The position of UIY was contained in a statement signed by the National President, Comrade Joseph Okotie and made available to our correspondent.

 “We, the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths (UIY), the apex youth body of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, are gathered here today to issue this press briefing to address Chevron over their unprofessional conduct and gross marginalisation of our people over the years. Chevron’s operations span through the entirety of Warri kingdom including Abiteye flow station, Olero flow station,  Otu Nana Flow Station  Dibi flow Station etc. 

“Despite the barrels of crude oil generated from these different locations in Warri kingdom over these years, Chevron has left our people in abject poverty. No electricity, no jobs, no trainings, no health care facility, all we have gotten as host communities is complete neglect, exploitation and gross unemployment. Today, we are saying, “We will no longer allow it”.

“Our demands are clear, reasonable and rooted in equity and global best practices.They include fair employment opportunities for qualified itsekiri youths across Warri South, Warri North and Warri South West, and Warri Central. Transparent and inclusive award of contracts to bonafide host community indigenes, structured empowerment, training and human capital development programmes. Most importantly, full open camp access to all itsekiri host communities.

“We want to make it evidently clear that, just like the Warri Kingdom women had earlier stated, all negotiation must be made only through our king, the Olu of Warri. Any attempt by Chevron to negotiate with any other persons or group of persons will be met with stiff resistance. It is pertinent to note that Ugborodo is just a fraction of Itsekiri host communities to Chevron. The Olu of Warri is the only trusted person that can negotiate on behalf of all itsekiri host communities. The Youths of Warri kingdom are hereby giving Chevron 21 days to do all necessary negotiation  through our king, the Olu of Warri or face a total shutdown of all its operations within Warri kingdom.”