• 28000 bpd
• Delineation
• INEC
• Itsekiri
• Protest

ITSEKIRI PROTEST SHUTS DOWN 28,000 BPD OIL FACILITY IN DELTA STATE

• 

  CapitalTimesNews / 6 days
• 0
• 2 min read

A major oil facility in Delta State’s Warri South-West Local Government Area has been shut down due to protests by the Itsekiri people over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed ward delineation. The facility, which produces 28,000 crude barrels per day, was formerly operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company and is now owned by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings. The protesters, comprising men, women, and youths, stormed the facility with placards, expressing their anger over INEC’s proposal. They claim the delineation amounts to ethnic cleansing and are demanding its withdrawal. According to Amorighoye Mene, Secretary of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, “We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that comprise the area — the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, and other mixed-demographic areas — when delineating the wards and polling units.” The Itsekiri Nation rejected the proposed ward delineation, citing a lack of consideration for historical and legitimate community names. Mene hinted at potential court action against INEC, stating, “We were not allowed to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling, but we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri nation completely condemns and rejects the work done by INEC.” The protest may spread to other critical oil and gas facilities, potentially affecting Nigeria’s daily crude oil production. INEC’s proposal follows a Supreme Court judgment calling for fresh delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.