PHOTOS: Niger Delta group stages protest, demands 40% oil licences for indigenes

A group known as the Niger Delta Community Youth Association says 40 percent of oil licences should be given to people from the oil producing areas.

The group made their demand through demonstrations staged across the Niger Delta states and the federal capital territory (FCT) and a petition addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Blessing Agbomhere, its lawyer.

It expressed concern over the recent alleged allocation of oil licenses by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to corporate entities and individuals with no ties to the Niger Delta region.

In a statement on Wednesday, Embale Jonathan, Omeizah Ogumah, Boma Doreye, and Sunny Ifijen, leaders of the group said the alleged it is unacceptable that oil prospecting licences and oil mining lease are not given to the Niger Delta people.

“As indigenous peoples of the Niger-Delta region, we have been historically marginalized, exploited, and excluded by the oil and gas industry,” they said.

“Our communities have suffered environmental degradation, pollution, and health hazards due to the activities of oil and gas companies.

“Yet, we receive pittances in benefits, from both government, and internal oil companies.”

They also called for a thorough review of oil block owners’ commitments to environmental cleanup in polluted areas and demanded adequate compensation for the affected communities.

Additionally, they said there should be strict enforcement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations on the individuals and entities that own oil blocs.

Here are some photos from the demonstration;