Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Tempers flared in Rumuekpe, a major oil-producing community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, as residents staged a protest against Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, over what they described as years of neglect, deprivation, and marginalisation.
The demonstrators barricaded the Rumuekpe community junction along the busy East-West Road yesterday, halting access to Renaissance’s manifold and operational facilities.
Protesters, including women, youths, and elders, carried placards and chanted slogans demanding justice, basic amenities, and corporate accountability.
Leader of the protest, HRH Eze Christian Amadi Evekwuru, the King of Rumuekpe community accused Shell of abandoning them despite decades of oil exploration in the area and expressed fears that Renaissance, which recently took over Shell’s assets in the Niger Delta, was following the same exploitative path.
“Shell operated here for years without regard for us. No water, no electricity, no roads. They blocked our youths from getting contracts or jobs.
“Now Renaissance has come and is operating the same way, with high-handedness and deceit. But we won’t take it anymore. They cannot enter our land without our consent.”
Eze Evekwuru said the community had initially planned to occupy Renaissance’s facilities for one week, but a brief meeting with the company’s representatives led to a temporary stand-down.
“They met with us and begged for 48 hours to respond to our demands. We have agreed, but if they fail, we’ll be back here on Friday, stronger and louder,” he warned.
Protesters accused Renaissance of making empty promises without initiating any developmental projects since assuming operations in the area. Community leaders also alleged that the company’s activities are being dictated by a single individual without the involvement of community stakeholders.
“They promised heaven and earth but brought nothing. Not even one borehole. They are deceiving us,” the monarch fumed.
Adding to the tension were reports of attempted suppression of the peaceful protest by the Divisional Police Officer in the area and his men, sparking outrage among demonstrators.
“The police tried to disrupt our peaceful protest. We are only asking for what is rightfully ours,” said Ovunda Umeka, General Youth President of Rumuekpe.
“This community looks like a forest. We live in darkness and drink from streams, yet oil flows under our feet.”
Another protester, Chidiatu Dimkpa, said the community has run out of patience.
“Shell failed us. They signed agreements and never fulfilled them. Now Renaissance is doing the same. We won’t sit quietly anymore; we are taking our destiny into our own hands.”
The protest underscores growing discontent among host communities in the Niger Delta over decades of perceived exploitation and neglect by oil companies, even as the region continues to suffer environmental degradation, poverty, and underdevelopment.
