The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has recently denounced the actions of unidentified individuals who attacked the Chevron Nigeria Limited pipelines located in the Dibi-Olero-Abiteye trunk line and flow stations within the region. The monarch expresses solidarity with Chevron in light of this incident. The condemnation and expression of empathy were conveyed through a formal statement signed by Collins Edema, the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri and Liaison Officer to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and its joint venture partners, which has been made available to the media in Warri.
The statement emphasizes that such violent actions are contrary to the ethos and objectives of the Itsekiri nation. The ongoing struggle aimed at securing better economic opportunities, infrastructure, and welfare for the local population should not be tainted by lawlessness. It highlights that while there is an increasing unrest regarding employment opportunities provided by Chevron for residents of Warri South-West, Warri North, and Warri South Local Government Areas, the chosen method of aggression against facilities directly contradicts the intentions of peaceful advocacy.
Acknowledging the frustration stemming from perceived negligence by Chevron, the Olu of Warri calls for calm among the youth. He notes that the office has been actively engaging Chevron to address the unresolved issues related to unemployment in the community. The statement elucidates the sentiment of disillusionment among the youth, yet warns against the resorting to violent actions as a means of protest, suggesting that such behavior is detrimental to both the community’s interests and their relationship with Chevron.
Moreover, the Olu reinforces the commitment of his office towards fostering a secure and conducive working environment for Chevron and other international oil companies operating in Itsekiri land. He expresses hope that law enforcement agencies will take swift action to apprehend those responsible for the vandalism, thereby reaffirming the community’s desire for a peaceful resolution to ongoing grievances concerning employment.
The statement also clarifies that the recent attack is not connected to legal avenues that the Itsekiri people have been navigating to resolve their employment concerns with Chevron. The Olu assures that the engagement with Chevron will persist, with a strong resolve to facilitate the inclusion of qualified Itsekiri individuals into job opportunities within the oil and gas sector.
In conclusion, the Olu of Warri underscores the importance of constructive dialogue and engagement over destructive actions. He calls upon the community to channel their frustrations into peaceful advocacy to secure better employment and opportunities rather than resorting to violence, which jeopardizes future negotiations and the overall welfare of the Itsekiri people.
