Precious Anga
Lagos — Fresh tensions have emerged in the Niger Delta as Itsekiri youths threatened to shut down major oil and gas facilities operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, Renaissance Africa Energy, Conoil, NGIC and NEPL E&P over the lingering controversy surrounding the proposed delineation of wards and constituencies in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The threat, issued on Monday by the Warri Reclamation Thrust, follows reports that some Ijaw women allegedly attempted to disrupt operations at Chevron’s Mini Abiteye Flow Station in the early hours of June 8.
The group warned that critical oil and gas assets located within Itsekiri communities could be shut down within 24 hours if the Federal Government fails to address concerns raised over the delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Facilities listed for the proposed shutdown include Chevron’s Tank Farm in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, as well as the Dibi and Olero Flow Stations in Warri North. The threat also extends to Renaissance-operated facilities in Otumara, Ogidigben and Makaraba, alongside assets belonging to Conoil Producing, NGIC and NEPL E&P.
Convener of the Warri Reclamation Thrust, Comrade Tsaye Mene, blamed the escalating crisis on what he described as the Federal Government’s failure to address alleged irregularities in the delineation process.
“If the Federal Government had acted decisively at the early stages of this controversy by removing compromised officials and ensuring a fresh delineation exercise in line with constitutional provisions and INEC guidelines, the situation would not have deteriorated to this level,” he said.
Mene warned that any shutdown of the facilities could have severe economic consequences, given their strategic importance to Nigeria’s crude oil production and export operations.
According to him, several of the affected assets collectively account for hundreds of thousands of barrels of daily crude oil output, making them critical contributors to national revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
The group also accused INEC, the National Boundary Commission and the Office of the National Security Adviser of failing to adequately address concerns raised by the Itsekiri people regarding the delineation exercise.
As part of its demands, the organisation called for the cancellation of the proposed delineation, a fresh review of the process, and disciplinary action against officials allegedly linked to the exercise.
The group further demanded the removal of Tantita Security Services from Itsekiri communities and the withdrawal of security personnel attached to key individuals involved in the dispute.
The latest development adds to growing tensions in Warri and surrounding communities, where disagreements over political representation and territorial boundaries have intensified in recent months.
Industry stakeholders have warned that any disruption to oil and gas operations in the area could undermine Nigeria’s crude production targets at a time when the Federal Government is pursuing higher output levels and seeking fresh investment into the petroleum sector.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government, INEC, Chevron and Renaissance Africa Energy had not issued official responses to the threat.
