Protesting Itsekiri host communities of Ugborodo in Warri Southwest council area of Delta State have reportedly shut down operations of 15 crude oil well heads within the Ogidigben flow station.

The oil wells are operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The development, which follows a week-long protest by indigenes at the Ogidigben flow station, is causing tension in the area as the protesters continued to lay siege to the facility as at Wednesday.

Public Relation Officer of the community, David Mamah, who confirmed the development in a telephone conversation, disclosed that the flow station was shut down on Saturday, to press home their grievances.

The indigenes had on Thursday last week stormed the facility with kitchen utensils and canopies erected in front of the company’s gate, warning that they would not quit the facility until their demands are met.

They alleged years of neglect and insensitivity by the oil firm, despite having several oil exploration facilities and operating peacefully in the area.

Mamah said that the protest was populated by old women, youths and elderly men in the communities.

He said that management of SPDC has refused to address them since they stormed the facility, but rather deployed soldiers to intimidate them.

According to Mamah, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Emmanuel Amgbaduba, had on Monday addressed the protesters, urging them to call off the protest and allow the State Government handle the matter.

Mamah said that oil- producing communities of Ugborodo, Ajudaibo, Mandagho, Ogidigben are all affected by Shell’s exploration activities, but had over the years been deprived of basic amenities such as internal roads and bridges, electricity and potable water, despite providing the company the enabling environment to do business.

“To add insult to injury, our indigenes are denied job opportunities, which they are very qualified for and companies owned by Ugborodo indigenes, with proven competence and expertise, are not given contracts meant for locals, in line with the Local Content Act,” he said.

Reacting to the development via SMS, SPDC’s media relations manager, Bamidele Odugbesan said: “SPDC is working with the state government to engage the protesters on their complaints.”

(The Nation)