By Charles Pemu 
Residents of the oil-rich Egbemo-Angalabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have staged a peaceful protest, calling for greater inclusion and development from oil companies operating in their area.
The demonstrators, numbering in the thousands, appealed to the Federal and Bayelsa State Governments to intervene and compel Renaissance Africa Energy Company and Oando Plc to adhere to the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). They cited long-standing grievances of neglect, unemployment, and underdevelopment despite hosting over 100 oil wells and three flow stations.
Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Tarakiri Clan, Mr. Lokiri Lawrence, said the protest was a last resort to draw attention to the community’s plight. According to him, despite the availability of skilled and educated youths from the community, the oil firms continue to sideline them in employment and contracts.
“Our people are now graduates in engineering, marine, geology, and law — yet they are denied opportunities in their own land. We have the capacity and equipment to support oil operations but are not engaged,” Lawrence said.
He lamented the absence of essential services such as potable water, healthcare facilities, and electricity in the community, adding that continuous neglect may force the people to take more decisive steps, including shutting down oil operations.
Human rights advocate and youth spokesperson, Barr. Benneth Joseph Ebikon, criticized the oil companies for failing to engage with the host communities since taking over from previous operators.
“The companies have flouted key constitutional provisions and the PIA by refusing to establish proper dialogue with the host communities,” Ebikon stated.
The community urged relevant authorities to ensure that oil firms comply with local content requirements and invest meaningfully in host community development, warning that continued marginalisation could threaten peace and stability in the region.