22-07-03 Natives of six Itsekiri communities hosting the multi-billion naira Opumami Tank Farm owned by TotalFinaElf in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State took to the streets of the oil city in protest against alleged moves by management of the oil company to pull out of their areas. The protesters from the oil-rich Obodo, Uwakeno, Aja-Osolo, Omadino, Ifie-Okporo and Orugbo communities stormed Warri metropolis as early as 7:00 a.m. with various placards denouncing the policy of the oil company as it affects their well-being.
The embittered Itsekiri, including the aged and prominent citizens walked through the major roads and streets of the city chanting songs reflecting their unenviable status as natives of host communities to the gigantic oil installation. They displayed placards with such messages as "Government should come to our aid", "Our people have been rendered homeless", "Elf come back and remain with us", "TotalFinaElf cannot abandon us now after rendering our land useless", "No to cancellation of maintenance/running contracts", and "Ibori please call the management of TotalFinaElf to order", among others.

They later stormed the secretariat of Warri South Local Government on Warri/Sapele road, where they intimated the chairman of the council, Chief Arthur Diden of their plight. Besides, a copy of the petition containing their grievances was presented to Diden by the chairman and secretary of the forum, Mr Jonathan Ejueyitchie and Mr Johnson Onire respectively, for onward transmission to the state governor, Chief James Ibori.
Their grouse as contained in the petition included alleged plans by the management of TotalFinaElf to permanently shut down its operation in Opumamu fields as well as the purported cancellation of all maintenance/running contracts in the company's OML 57. The communities stated that there was no basis for TotalFinaElf to close down its operation in the area just because of the recent crisis, adding that the various communities also suffered serious setbackas a result of the senseless war.

They maintained that it is unfair for the company to shirk its responsibilities to the six host communities for the reason of its losses in the recent war, pointing out that "we are aware that the same TotalFinaElf has continued to provide basic social infrastructure, scholarships and other community-based projects in some communities such as Kwale, Elokor, etc despite the fact that the wells located there have been dry since the early 80s."
Consequently, they urged Ibori to compel the company to rescind its decision to cancel the maintenance/running contracts which provide their legitimate means of livelihood, settlement of the outstanding land rents for two years, sustenance of the existing skill acquisition programme and revisiting the alleged plans to shut down Opumami fields.

Responding, Diden said he would convey their grievances to Ibori for appropriate action. He acknowledged that "Ibori is a listening father" who will stop at nothing to ensure that Deltans were not unfairly treated.
Diden who pleaded with them to be peaceful asked his protesting kinsmen to go back to their various communities to await favourable response from the governor.