In a resolute demonstration of unity and defiance, hundreds of residents from Ogbe-Udu community in the Udu local government area of Delta State staged a protest yesterday against the management of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and the Nigeria Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) over alleged plans to relocate a flow station from their community.
The protest, which commenced in the early hours of the day, saw impassioned community members wielding placards adorned with slogans such as “Ogbe-Udu Say No to Flow Station, No to Pipeline” and “After 42 Years of Neglect, Ogbe-Udu Demands Justice.”
Mr. Joseph Eni, the President General of Ogbe-Udu, addressed reporters, expressing the community’s long-standing efforts spanning over three decades to safeguard their land from encroachment and exploitation. He lamented the purported decision by NPDC and NEPL to relocate the flow station to the neighboring town of Emadagja, a move that would not only disrupt the community’s livelihood but also infringe upon their rights as landowners.
Eni recounted the history of the land acquisition by the oil operator for the construction of the flow station, emphasizing the initial agreement that designated Ogbe-Udu as the most suitable site for the facility within the Aburu Field.
The community leader denounced the sudden announcement of the relocation during a meeting at Wetland Hotel in Udu, where NEPL representatives informed Ogbe-Udu delegates of the management’s decision. This revelation sparked immediate objection and prompted the issuance of an ultimatum to NEPL, demanding the removal of their pipeline from Ogbe-Udu by May 25, 2024.
Eni reaffirmed the community’s unwavering stance and urged NPDC and NEPL to reconsider their decision, emphasizing the detrimental impact it would have on the residents’ well-being and livelihoods.
