In a protest letter addressed to the Managing Director of Elcrest E&P Nigeria Limited, signed by Felix Jemigbeyi as President; Difference Emmanuel as Vice-President; Touwemi Jorues and Raphael Tori, PRO 1 and 2, respectively, in Warri, Delta State, the youths of the Abiala community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, have threatened to shut down operations at the company unless their demands are met within 21 days.
The oil company that is in charge of the Abiala field has come under fire for allegedly neglecting the community during its recent dredging activities, which they claim resulted in significant financial facilities for local residents and indigenous people.
The youths accused the oil company of undermining their peaceful disposition to comply with their requests in the letter, which was made available to journalists in Warri on Friday and copied to the appropriate security agencies, such as the Commander, Army Base, Koko, Warri North LGA, the Inspector General of Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“We will no longer tolerate being sidelined. It is unacceptable that despite our peaceful disposition, our simple requests for job opportunities and fair compensation remain ignored,” declared Jemigbeyi, President of the Abiala Community Youth Executive Committee.”
The oil company was presented with a clear set of requests by the community, one of which was that 40% of skilled employment opportunities and 60% of unskilled work chances from Elcrest’s activities go to local youngsters.
Additionally, they are calling for equitable compensation for landowners impacted by the company’s dredging operations as well as the awarding of all non-technical contracts to Abiala’s indigenous contractors.
“The lives and livelihoods of our people have suffered due to the operations of Elcrest E&P,” stated Emmanuel, the vice-president of the youth group.
According to him, “We are not against the company pursuing its business goals. However, as the host community, we expect to benefit from the resources taken from our land.”
In the protest letter, the youth expressed disappointment at the company’s perceived indifference.
“It is shocking that despite multiple communications and clear explanations of our situation, your company has failed to acknowledge our legitimate demands,” the letter stated.
Elcrest E&P’s operations in the Niger Delta are made more difficult by their contentious past, which includes a devastating explosion in 2020 that forced the company to halt production.
The community is concerned that their ongoing disregard may spark a reaction that could have an impact on Nigeria’s total oil output.
Regarding the legal aspect, Eric K. Omare, the community’s attorney, restated their requests and emphasized that Elcrest E&P is still required to provide employment opportunities and pay community members. This is in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“Your obligations under the PIA do not negate the necessity for fair employment practices and community engagement,” Omare asserted.
In a letter dated January 29, 2025, the oil company claimed to have complied with the PIA, but Omare pointed out that the claims were unfounded because Elcrest had not yet established the Host Community Development Trust mandated by the PIA, which contradicts the company’s claims of compliance.
He also explained that although the PIA regulates the relationships between host communities, it does not specifically address employment and contracting opportunities, which are essential to the community’s demands.
The letter emphasized that compliance with the PIA does not release Elcrest from other legal obligations to the community, and that the absence of youth representatives in the governance structures established by Elcrest is a violation of regulations encouraging youth participation in community development.
The young people also stated in the letter that they were ready to take severe action against the oil company if their wishes were not fulfilled in the allotted period.
“This isn’t just about our demands anymore; it’s about our dignity as a community,” Jemigbeyi added.
The letter further read: “We consider your blatant refusal to comply with our simple demands, despite peacefully carrying on your business without any interference from us as an act of provocation and a slap on us as a community.”
“We had thought that you would tread the path of peace and harmonious co-existence with us as a community, but it seems we are wrong. We will no longer condone your neglect of our community and refusal to give us our due benefits as a host community.”
“In the light of the above, we, the Abiala Community Youth, give you, Elcrest E & P Nigeria Limited, 21 from the receipt of this letter to yield to our demands as encapsulated above or risk shutting down your facilities in our community.”
