Ellu Community, Delta State – Tensions are rising in the oil-rich Ellu community of Isoko North as residents of Otekpo Quarter have formally protested what they describe as “years of neglect, unfair treatment, and unpaid obligations” by Sterling Global, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), and other stakeholders. In a letter submitted to the companies’ Ogini and Warri offices, the community outlined several grievances and demanded urgent redress.
The letter, signed by representatives of Otekpo Quarter, Mr Uzezi Warri, Odio Ogugberi highlights the non-payment of salaries to local surveillance workers who have been securing company assets for months without compensation. The delay, they claim, has caused untold hardship for families who rely on these earnings for survival, despite the workers’ continued dedication to their duties.
Another major point of contention is the unpaid rent for the access road and a critical 16-inch delivery pipeline that runs through Otekpo land. The community alleges that Sterling Global and NPDC have failed to honor agreed payments, effectively depriving Otekpo of revenue rightfully owed. "This rent has long been due and yet ignored," the letter stated.
Otekpo Quarter also accuses the Ellu Community Development Association (ECDA) and the Osa family of monopolizing benefits from trucking activities along the access road, even though Otekpo holds the largest stretch of that infrastructure. "We bear the burden, but others reap the benefits. That is not just neglect — it is exploitation," the protest note emphasized.
Adding to their list of complaints, the community decried their exclusion from community slots and other development benefits enjoyed by other quarters within Ellu. They argue that such marginalization has denied their youths and families access to vital opportunities and empowerment programs meant for the collective community.
In their closing remarks, the Otekpo Quarter representatives issued a strong call for justice, demanding the immediate clearance of outstanding payments, inclusion in all community benefits, and restoration of their rightful entitlements. The protest letter was also copied to the Royal Majesty of Ellu Kingdom, ECDA President General, Area Command Ozoro, DSS, and the Division A Police Station in Ozoro, signaling a readiness to escalate the matter if urgent action is not taken.
The protest letter has sent ripples through the community, drawing attention from traditional and security institutions alike. With copies forwarded to the Royal Majesty of Ellu Kingdom and law enforcement agencies including the Area Command Ozoro and the DSS, it is clear that the Otekpo Quarter is not willing to allow the matter be swept under the rug.
Sources within the community suggest that if no action is taken within a reasonable timeframe, peaceful demonstrations and possible legal steps may follow
Community leaders have also voiced concerns about the potential threat to peace if these longstanding grievances remain unaddressed. "We have exercised patience and respect for dialogue for too long," one elder stated. "But when a people are continuously sidelined, resentment builds. We don’t want a breakdown of order — we want fairness, and we want it now." The call for justice has struck a chord with youth groups in the area, who have begun mobilizing in anticipation of the next steps.
Meanwhile, residents of Otekpo are calling on government authorities at both state and federal levels to intervene. They argue that multinational and indigenous oil companies must be held accountable for their operations in host communities, especially in the Niger Delta where decades of neglect have bred deep-seated mistrust. As the situation unfolds, many in the region are watching closely to see whether Sterling Global and NPDC will respond with sincerity — or continue a trend that many believe has gone on for far too long.
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