Onyeche Wofurum Igwe
The people of Rumuekpe community in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Wednesday staged a protest against Renaissance Africa Energy, formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, over alleged neglect and deprivation.
Our correspondent gathered that despite the community, being rich in oil resources, lacks basic amenities like water, electricity and access roads.
About 1,000 protesters barricaded the community junction along the East-West road and all entrance routes to the firm’s manifold plants.
The King of Rumuekpe, HRH Eze Christian Amadi Evekwuru, expressed frustration over Shell’s past operations, stating that the company showed disdain for the host community, before the company was taken over by the new owners.
The monarch lamented that the people of Rumuekpe lack essential services and no youth from the community have been employed or empowered by Shell. He criticized Renaissance Africa Energy for adopting a similar approach, with one individual seemingly controlling the company.
The king vowed that the community would no longer tolerate such treatment. He stated that whenever Shell wanted to award contracts, they would block the community’s people, particularly the youths, from accessing opportunities and jobs.
“Whenever Shell wanted to do contracts, they would block our people, block the youths from getting some privileged opportunities, jobs, and now, the new company that took over came and promised heaven and earth, but have not done anything. Yet they are entering our community to work, they have been deceiving us; that’s why we shut down their operations. They can’t enter the land without the knowledge of the community people.”
Initially, the monarch threatened to occupy the facilities within a week if their demands were not met. However, after a meeting with Renaissance management, who assured them of addressing the issues within 48 hours, the king reduced the protest period.
He said, “I have met with them; they have given us 48 hours to address our needs, but should they fail, we will return to the roads.”
The monarch warned that if the company fails to meet their demands within the given timeframe, the community will resume the protest on Friday.
The General Youth President of Rumuekpe, Ovunda Umeka, described the community as being like a forest due to years of neglect and marginalization.
Another protester, Chidiatu Dimkpa, stated that the community had been abandoned, hence the decision to take their destiny into their own hands.
Dimkpa emphasized that Shell had failed to fulfill its agreements with the community and abandoned them. He added that the new company, Renaissance, would not be allowed to follow the same path.
“Shell failed on the agreement they had with our community and abandoned us; now the new company wants to follow the same line but we won’t allow them,” he stated.
