Tensions reached a boiling point in Delta State on Monday as angry residents of Irri community in Isoko South Local Government Area staged a massive protest at the OANDO Flow Station, bringing operations to a grinding halt. The community, made up of men, women, and youths, accused the oil giant of long-standing marginalization, neglect, and a blatant refusal to honour agreements dating back years.
Chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards with bold inscriptions such as “We Need Electricity,” “No Project Since 2017,” “Respect Our Traditional Rulers,” “We Need Indigenous Contractors,” and “OANDO Stop Exploiting Irri,” the protestors blocked access to the facility, effectively crippling business activities in the area.
The peaceful demonstration, which began early in the morning, sent a strong message to OANDO management, demanding urgent intervention and accountability. Protesters lamented the oil firm’s failure to implement provisions of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) initially signed with NOAC before its takeover by OANDO. According to the community, OANDO has persistently ignored calls for dialogue and reneged on promises made under the agreement.
Speaking to The Trumpet, the President of Irri Development Union, Mr. John Ozaveva Eweh, said the community has been sidelined for far too long. “We have written several letters, initiated negotiations, yet nothing has changed. They operate on our land, extracting our resources, but give nothing back. Not even a courtesy visit to our traditional ruler since they took over.”
He accused the company of hiding under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to justify its inaction. “The PIA does not prevent OANDO from respecting our king or responding to our letters. If they continue to ignore us, we will shut down all oil activities in Irri,” he warned.
Odio Silas Efajamue, speaking on behalf of HRM Simon Wajutome Odhomo, the Odiologbo of Irri, echoed the frustrations. He noted the company’s failure to create a local Public Affairs Department and its refusal to employ indigenes as part of its corporate social responsibility. “We can’t keep traveling to Kwale just to submit letters. It’s disrespectful and shows they don’t take us seriously,” he said.
Read also: Youths stage peaceful protest to Delta Govt House over blackout, exploitation by BEDC
Delta communities protest court ruling halting compensation by Chevron
Delta community barricades East-West road to protest alleged land grabbing
He further criticized OANDO for failing to fulfill promises made in the GMOU, including scholarships and community development projects. “Since 2017, not a single project has been executed in Irri. What kind of partnership is that?” he asked.
Adding their voices, Hon. Efewomazino Okiroro Otuaga, secretary to the Odiologbo’s Palace, and Prince Olomu Chris Ewomazino, Chairman of the Landlords Committee, described the protest as long overdue. They stressed that the community has exercised patience for nearly a decade, only to be met with continued neglect and silence from the oil firm.
“We are tired of being ignored. If OANDO refuses to meet our demands, we will permanently shut down their operations in Irri. We are not asking for too much—just our fair share,” they said.
The protest has drawn attention from across Delta State and beyond, reigniting conversations around the rights of host communities, the enforcement of the PIA, and the accountability of oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. As tensions simmer, all eyes are now on OANDO and how it plans to respond to the growing outrage in Irri.
