The Urhobo Ethnicity Nationality Oil and Gas Producing Communities, (UROGAN), Delta Central Senatorial district in Delta State has complained to the National Assembly over alleged marginalisation in oil and gas facilities in Nigeria.
A statement by its national chairman, Dr. Christopher Ominimini, said the Agbarha Warri, Okere Urhobo kingdoms of Warri south LGA, Uduophori and Odorubu communities contribute much to the economy of Nigeria through the huge production of oil and gas without significant development.
Ominimini lamented that Urhobo had been taken for granted, being shortchanged and especially with the ceding of Urhobo oil and gas facilities to Edo State at Mosogar and Idjerhe (Jesse) Kingdoms and transfer of Ukpokiti community’s facilities in Agbarha Warri Kingdom to Omadino in Itsekiri.
“In the verified compilation, one can see the enormous contributions of Urhobo nation through these active oil and gas producing wells of over 350, over 15 flow stations and over 20 gas flare sites. One can now see very clearly, the reason why the lifespan of the Urhobo people at home has been shortened and crippled with a lot of diseases emanating from the polluted air and ecosystem.
“In Spite of these injustices, UROAGAN is involved in peaceful advocacy for an uninterrupted free flow of oil in oil-bearing communities while campaigning for proper development of the people and communities of our ethnic nation,” the statement said.