Youths in the Rumuekpe community of Emuoha Local Government Area have issued a 14-day ultimatum to Aradel Holdings Plc, demanding employment opportunities and social amenities or a total blockade of the Sombriero River, which the company relies on for its oil operations.
The ultimatum, delivered by youth leader Comrade Ovundah Umeka, underscores growing frustration over alleged neglect by Aradel, which has operated in the area for years without providing jobs or infrastructure for the community.
Speaking to journalists, Umeka accused Aradel of failing to recognize Rumuekpe as a host community despite housing a booster station for crude oil reception.
“Aradel has been operating on our river for years, yet there is no employment for Rumuekpe youths. We don’t have good roads, no clean water, nothing.
“We have pleaded with them because we don’t want any crisis, but they have refused to listen. Our youths are now bent on protesting.”
He warned that if their demands were not met within 14 days, they would peacefully block the river to prevent Aradel’s vessels from passing.
“If they want to come and kill us, let them come. It’s either they employ our people like they employ people from other communities, or they kill us.”
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The youths also decried the environmental impact of Aradel’s operations, alleging that crude oil pollution has contaminated the river, which serves as a primary source of drinking water and fishing for the community.
“The river is between Ekpeye and Rumuekpe; we drink from it, we fish from it, but crude oil has contaminated it. We asked Aradel to dredge the river, but they refused. We even sent letters to their head office in Lagos, but they ignored us.”
Emmanuel Ovunze, Public Relations Officer of the Rumuekpe Youths Forum, lamented the community’s frustration, noting that despite three years of operations, Aradel had not employed a single local youth or awarded contracts to community members.
“We need clean drinking water, electricity, and roads. Our people are dying with no hospitals, no jobs, nothing. The company must listen to us.”
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), has urged Aradel to act swiftly to prevent escalation.
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“Aradel should ensure this protest does not happen. The state is already fragile with the state of emergency.
“I am calling on the sole Administrator to pressure Aradel in ensuring they address the issue and concerns of Rumuekpe so that there will be no protest in the state to further heat up the current incident and situation that we have in the State.
“I also call on the youths of the community to be peaceful should the company not address the concerns they have stipulated in their 14-day ultimatum.”
As the 14-day ultimatum counts down, tensions remain high, with all eyes on Aradel and the Rivers State government to see whether the demands will be met or if the situation will spiral into a full-blown crisis.
Attempts to reach Aradel Holdings Plc’s Community Relations Manager, Blessing Okpowo, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
