Tisun, a community located in the Warri North area of Delta State, has issued a warning that oil and gas production may face disruptions starting January 1, 2024.
The Delta community, expressing dissatisfaction with perceived neglect and lack of development, accuses Chevron Nigeria Limited of withholding their yearly benefits.
David Odeli, Chairman of the Community Management Council, conveyed the community’s grievances in a statement addressed to the Federal Government.
Odeli alleges that Chevron Nigeria Limited has denied them their annual benefits, including those from the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC), despite approval by the Committee Engagement Management Board (CEMB).
Odeli emphasized the community’s growing bitterness, citing imminent threats from ocean surge and the adverse effects of crude oil exploitation by Chevron.
He also criticized both federal and state government agencies responsible for the development of oil-producing communities, asserting their failure in fulfilling their duties.
Odeli articulated, “The Federal Government should not hope to get sufficient oil and gas production from the swamp operations in Warri North Local Government Area, from January 1, 2024, because there’s obvious tendencies that there’s going to be very serious hostility in the swamp.
“Over the years, there has been nothing to show for the huge resources drawn from Tisun and our neighbouring communities, there are no basic amenities, the environment has been completely destroyed and our people impoverished.
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“I know the huge expectations on my shoulders from the people of Tisun, as leaders in the community. As I speak to you (in telephone chat) Chevron Nigeria Limited, has denied people of Itsekiri host communities our yearly benefits, including the social benefits we usually get from Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC), despite the approval by Committee Engagement Management Board (CEMB).
“Let’s take a critical look at the agencies responsible for the development of the communities, from the state to the federal level, you will discover that the agencies have no developmental links with the oil and gas bearing communities. The initial agreement and relationship we had with Chevron Nigeria Limited, had gone sour,” he concluded. #Delta