Chevron, Delta coastal communities settle eight-year face-off

Three Ijaw Kingdoms in Delta State – Gbaramatu, Egbema and Ogulagha – have agreed to work again with the management of the Chevron Nigeria Limited.
For eight years now, the leaders of the coastal communities have been at daggers drawn with CNL over the non-payment of their entitlements as host communities.
The crisis recently led to a 21-day ultimatum for the CNL to quit operations in their lands.
But at the peace parley attended by the Managing Director of the American oil/gas giant, tagged: “The suspension of 21-day Ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited due a recall for settlement of GEOCCF crisis,” at the weekend in Warri, the concerned indigenes of the coastal communities agreed to sheathe their swords after a strongly worded resolution was reached.
The 21-day ultimatum was sent to the CNL by Comrade Mike J.K, Tiemo, the Secretary General of Gbaramatu, Egbema and Ogulagha Communities Front.
The resolution was co-signed by Comrade Isaac Gbenewei, the Mobilization Officer; Frank Keniye; Barry Mulade, the Chairman Disciplinary Committee of Gbaramatu Chapter; Timi David, Chairman Disciplinary Committee, Egbema; Hon. Major Atigbi, Adviser Egbema Chapter; Clement Komboye; and Captain Alex Yalemu, the Chairman Disciplinary Committee Ogulagha Chapter.
The Police Area Commander, Warri was also copied.
It urged Chevron to equitably distribute financial entitlements to their host communities.
The resolution, made available to The Eagle Online, wants the communities’ dues to appropriately rendered to them henceforth.
It said: “We are aware that the Ilajes and Itsekiris get their financial entitlement promptly up till now.
“Why is it, that Chevron is holding the three Ijaws communities’ funds for over eight years?”
While the communities decried lack of accountability and insensitivity on the part of the oil giant, which led to the agitations, they gave one year to the George Timinimi led-executive to draft a binding constitution for the body “so that it can be run like other notable regional development councils”.
The resolution also urged Chevron to accord every member of GEOCCF a fair treatment irrespective of the role they played during the period of the agitation.