Group urges Buhari to end marginalisation of Isoko oil bearing communities ~ Truth Reporters

19 July 2020   |   7:18 pm

By:Kennedy Omajuwa

The Coalition for Good Governance, Delta State Chapter has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the age-long marginalisation of the oil bearing communities in Isoko nation.

The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Jefferson Oruoghorie noted that the Isoko nation contributes well over 19 percent of oil production in Delta adding that over the years issues of unemployment of host communities, gas flaring, environmental degradation and lack of corporate social responsibility has become of the order of the day.

He said host communities and Multinational Oil Companies operating in the Niger Delta have been at logger head because of insincerity on their part backed by a lackadaisical federal government.

Reacting to the threat by leaders of the Isoko nation to shut down oil operations in the area if the Federal government does not address the marginalisation of the Isoko people in the sale of marginal oil fields, the group appealed to President Buhari to call for a truce as the economy cannot withstand a shutdown of oil assets which remains the mainstay of the nations source of revenue.

He said the country was grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economy and as such cannot have another unavoidable economic crisis as a result of neglect of the goose that lays the golden eggs.

"The group appeals to President Buhari led administration to see that things are sorted out before more calamity befalls the country.

"The Coronavirus pandemic is enough already to battle with, coupled with hunger, high rate of unemployment across the country, deplorable roads, kidnapping, herdsmen killings and high rate of criminality in the country.

"The Isoko nation is part and parcel of this country, so therefore measures should be put on ground to see that peace reigns," he added.

Recall that the President General of the ISOKO DEVELOPMENT UNION (IDU), at a world press conference on Friday gave the BUHARI led federal government administration a two (2) weeks ultimatum to discontinue any action in abating gross misconduct in the management of the Gas Field in the Isoko Nation or will see to the total Short down of the oil stations and Gas Fields.

The Isoko Development Union which is ably led by Hon. High Chief Iduh Amadhe, expressed the gross marginalization of the Isoko Youths, who are qualified to take helms in the management of this oil stations and gas fields, which are being marginalised thereby leading to high rate of unemployment and underdevelopment in the Isoko Nation.

Leading a press conference of the Isoko Development Union (IDU),the president charged the federal government to hear the cries of the Isoko Nation by doing the needful, stressing that the Isoko nation contributes 19% of oil revenue from Delta State.
Adding that, various oil stations and gas Fields in the Isoko Nation control to an extent most of the oil power of the country.

He further urged the federal government to call for peace as they await their response adding that, the oil stations and gas fields at Uzere, Olomoro, Oyede, Irri, Emevor, Oleh, Oweh, Ozoro and others will be on total shutdown if no reasonable response comes from the federal government as the ultimatum elapses.