Oil producing communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state on Monday raised the alarm over alleged marginalisation in the axis by Chevron Nigeria Limited.
Following the development, the communities under the aegis of Amalgamation of Ilaje Ugbo coastal communities, AMAICOMMA, urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to intervene in the situation.
While stressing the need for the oil giant to meet their demands, the Chairman of the group, Wole Ogungbeje, and Secretary, Kehinde Omoyele, vowed to take action on Chevron facilities within the next 48 hours.
In a petition addressed to the governor, AMAICOMMA expressed its preference for dialogue as a means of resolving conflict, but accused Chevron of disregarding their civil methods of engagement.
“Despite our preference for dialogue, Chevron Nigeria Limited has been disregarding our civil methods of engagement and abusing our trust.
“Chevron Nigeria Ltd is being grossly irresponsible by needlessly causing hostility towards its investment in Ilaje land.
“We had previously given them a 72-hour ultimatum, which has since elapsed, but they have failed to comply with our modest demands of dealing with AMAICOMMA, the recognized body in the oil-producing communities.
“Given Chevron’s lack of respect for the pursuit of peace in resolving this matter, we have issued a fresh notice and final ultimatum of 48 hours for them to address all our requests and take appropriate action to meet our demands, as stated in our previous correspondences.
“We emphasize that this window represents the last opportunity for Chevron to use reason rather than violence.
“Finally, we call on the Ondo state government to compel Chevron to allow peace to prevail in the once-volatile Ilaje nation.”
