BY WARIYAI DANIEL, YENAGOA.
Scores of youths have lamented marginalization and oppression meted against Kou Kingdom in Ekeremor Local Government area in Bayelsa state and Burutu Local government area of Delta state by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).
In the statement, Monday, signed by Kou Youth Development Front, the President, Ekemesowde Toraladi Peters, said the double dealing Standards by CNL has heightened tensions and agitations of concerned communities youths.
Peters further Stressed that the law empowers CNL to carry out all it’s Statutory and Corporate Social Responsibilities to host the Communities, but this has not been graciously adhered to.
“Chevron should enter a unique GMoU with the Kou Communities, Provide employments for the teeming youths, graduates and non- graduates, women empowerment Programmes, scholarships, running contracts, vessel supply, royalties, compensation for riparian rights and Loss of fishing rights, payment of outstanding reparation bills to KOU communities with or without the PIA bill”
Peters called on the America ambassador/Consulate, Chevron Home Office, Chief Of Defence Staff, The JTF Boss in Niger Delta, The Director State Security Service, Police AIG zone I6 , Minister Of Petroleum of State for petroleum resources , traditional rulers, especially the Olu of Warri, who has accenstral legal background and outspoken monarch, who visited President Buhari, on his mission to demand for better future for Niger Delta, calling for the Infrastructure development of key federal Presence in Niger Delta Region, that will benefit all ethnic nationalities and Nigeria at Large.
Peters who said they’re planning to embark on mass protest also called on our ex-militants and other agitators in the Niger Delta, to join hands with them to fight this injustices meted on them by the multinational oil companies.
Peters averred that, Chevron which its operation cuts across Peninnigton River, Dodo River, Ramos River Forcados Rivers,Escravos River, and Benin Rivers respectively on the continental shelf.
“Meanwhile, Pennington River,77 nautical miles,Dodo River 88 nautical miles,Escravos River 128 nautical miles on the shoreline and onshore clans benefitted from AGBANI fields, except Ramos clan Communities”
He Said, Kou Youth Development Forum had engaged CNL, based on the submission of Federal ministry of Mines , Energy And Power then, Which is now Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in the Judgement W/89/1971 that Chevron Terminal, Forcados Terminal And Peninighton Reports are in the Same Area Based on the Hydrographic reports on the tidal movement.
The Proposed protest threatened that the youths will shutdown Chevron’s Head office in Lagos,Port-Harcourt to Justify their demands If their demands are not met by oil giant and government agencies, as they cannot continue to stomach this injustice meted on our people by the Multinational Oil Companies.
Peters also mentioned the meeting with CNL in April, 2016, in which Gbaramatu Egbema and Ogulagha coastal communities front were in attendance saying that KOU Communities are not in Delta State, this development annoyed the KYDF to Write a Protest letter to
the managing Director of Chevron in Lagos, showing evidences of KOU Kingdom Landmass of the coastal part, in a Judgement W/67/1960. The CNL in response with a letter ref.no. NMA/PUB/CNL/LEK/060011 dated 16th June 2016, that Gbaramatu Egbema and Ogulagha Coastal front to recognize KYDF KOU Kingdom Communities In Delta State, but the CNL GMOU or MOU Signed With GEOCCF, Stated that, there in no clause or articles empowering the body to recognize other Clans with little Stipends for the three clans.
CNL response to KYDF through DPR now NUPR admitted that their operations impacts on KOU kingdom, but their Operations is far away from KOU kingdom 30km which is about 18nautical miles in a letter dated 14th of October 2015.
The aggrieved youths threatened that they will shut down Chevron’s Head Offices in Lagos, and Port-Harcourt to justify their demands if their demands are not urgently met by CNL and regulatory agencies of governments.
The KYDF also used the opportunity to call on the federal boundary commission and Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to take note and Multinational Oil companies operating In KOU Delta offshore in the PIA for KOU Communities.