Olu of Warri Decries Years of Neglect in Itsekiri Oil Communities, Demands Accountability from Oil Companies

Olu of Warri Decries Years of Neglect in Itsekiri Oil Communities, Demands Accountability from Oil Companies
Warri, Delta State — The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, has strongly criticized the decades-long neglect and underdevelopment of oil-producing communities in Itsekiri land, despite more than sixty years of intensive crude oil extraction in the area.
Speaking forcefully on the plight of the communities, the monarch expressed deep concern that although vast sums—running into hundreds of billions of dollars—have been generated from oil activities in the swamps and creeks of Itsekiri territory, the people have seen little benefit from the wealth taken from their land.
“For sixty years, hundreds of billions of dollars have been taken from these swamps, yet there is nothing meaningful to show for it,” the Olu of Warri stated.
He stressed that the era of exploitation without corresponding development must come to an end, declaring that the Palace will no longer remain silent while host communities suffer from poverty, environmental damage, and failing infrastructure.
In a firm message to operating oil firms, Ogiame Atuwatse III warned that the mistakes of the past would not be tolerated under his reign.
“I will not permit Chevron, Renaissance, Heritage, Conoil, or any other oil company to repeat the failures of the past. The Palace is standing firmly with its people,” he said.
Observers have described the monarch’s stance as a strong reassertion of traditional leadership in defense of indigenous rights, social justice, and sustainable development. Leaders across Itsekiri land have welcomed the declaration, describing it as both timely and necessary amid worsening socio-economic and environmental conditions.
The statement is expected to intensify calls for corporate accountability, transparent community development agreements, environmental restoration, and sustained investment in human capital across the Niger Delta.
As oil exploration continues in Itsekiri territory, attention now turns to how the operating companies will respond to the Palace’s clear demand for fairness, responsibility, and tangible development for the communities that sustain Nigeria’s oil wealth.