The Urhobo Ethnicity Nationality Oil and Gas Producing Communities (UROGAN) in Delta State’s Delta Central Senatorial District has urged the National Assembly to prompt the federal and state governments to address their exclusion from Nigeria’s oil and gas benefits.
In a statement, UROGAN National Chairman Christopher Ominimini lamented that the Urhobo people have long been neglected, exploited, and marginalized.
He highlighted the plight of communities like Agbarha Warri, Okere Urhobo Kingdoms of Warri South LGA, Uduophori, and Odorubu, which significantly contribute to Nigeria’s economy through substantial oil and gas production but see little corresponding development.
Ominimini also condemned the illegal reallocation of Urhobo oil and gas facilities to Edo State at Mosogar and Idjerhe (Jesse) Kingdoms and the unlawful transfer of Ukpokiti Community’s facilities in Agbarha Warri Kingdom to Omadino in Itsekiri.
“The verified data show over 350 active oil wells, more than 15 flow stations, and over 20 gas flare sites contributing significantly to the nation,” he said. “This explains the shortened lifespans and numerous health issues among the Urhobo people, caused by polluted air and a degraded ecosystem.”
Despite these injustices, UROGAN continues to advocate peacefully for uninterrupted oil production while demanding appropriate development for their communities. Ominimini criticized the amnesty program, stating, “Our sons who disarmed in the phase 2 and 3 programs are treated unfairly compared to their counterparts from other ethnicities.”
“In the NNPC and its strategic business units like NPDC, NUPRC, NPIMS, NMDPRA, WRPCL, PHRCL, KRPCL, PPMC, and DESOPADEC, Urhobos hold no significant positions. Casualization is the norm for our people, which is deeply unjust,” he added.
Ominimini also pointed out the disparity in skill acquisition centers provided by the Ministry of Niger Delta: two in Delta South, one in Delta North, and none in Delta Central, calling it another form of injustice.
“Today, the local content act’s implementation excludes the Urhobo people in the vital oil and gas sector. We don’t even know if it’s being enforced,” he said. He also condemned the sale of local oil and gas facilities by international oil companies (IOCs) to other investors without offering the Urhobo people the right of first refusal, calling it “a second colonization after the British.”
The Urhobo demand the establishment of Liquefied Natural Gas companies in Ughelli North and Sapele local government areas. “We will not allow these acts of deprivation to undermine our traditional values of nationhood,” Ominimini stated. “The federal and state governments must urgently address these issues in the interest of federal character, justice, and equity.”
