By Kolawole Ojebisi
Productive activities have been disrupted at a 28,000 barrels per day (bpd) oil facility in Warri south-west LGA, in Delta State
This is as some protesters in the state besieged the facility and shut it down to register their displeasure over a recent political decision.
The New Diplomat gathered that the demonstrators are kicking against the proposed ward delineation of the Warri federal constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Delineation refers to the process of dividing or mapping out geographical areas into constituencies, wards, or polling units for electoral purposes.
This is to ensure fair representation and efficient management of elections across the country.
Last Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units, following a supreme court judgment.
However, protesters stormed the facility, previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and now under Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, amid widespread discontent over INEC’s recommendations.
The protest, which began on Monday, has continued to gather momentum.
As of the time of filing this report, men, women, and youths were seen brandishing placards, while denouncing what they described as “ethnic cleansing” by INEC and “its collaborators”.
The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the ward delineation proposal, insisting on what one of their leaders called a just and proper delineation.
Amorighoye Mene, secretary of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, hinted at legal action against INEC.
“We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that comprise the area — the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, and other mixed-demographic areas — when delineating the wards and polling units,” Mene said.
He added that the Itsekiri were not allowed to voice their concerns at the unveiling, leading to their outright rejection of INEC’s proposal.
There are concerns that the protest could spread to other critical oil and gas facilities the area, potentially impacting the country’s daily crude oil output.
