Rumuekpe Community Protests Shell’s Neglect, Renaissance Africa Energy Company’s Divestment

Rumuekpe Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has staged a protest against alleged neglect by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) despite years of operation in the community.

The protest, which is currently ongoing at the community junction along the East/West Road, is also in revulsion to the divestment of Shell’s assets by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd.

In an interview with newsmen, the Nye Nwe Eli of Rumuekpe Community, Eze Christian Amadi Evekwuru, JP, lamented that for many years, Shell has marginalized Rumuekpe, asserting that the new owners, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd promised not to start operation without clearance from the community.

“For over ten years, Shell has marginalized Rumuekpe. About a month ago, the company held a meeting with all stakeholders and promised not to start operation in any of the communities without clearance from the Royal Highness or the leader of the community without being introduced by the SPDC but surprisingly, someone else is a rotating the role.”

Youth Leader of the community, Ovunda Umeka said they do not want the company to enter Rumuekpe until they pay the community stating that they do not have roads, light and that the community is like a forest.

“As I talk to you now, there is crisis in Rumuekpe. The hoodlums want to invade Rumuekpe. As I talk to you now, the Renaissance has gone to the community and no other body. They have collected the money meant for Rumuekpe. We don’t want the company to enter Rumuekpe until they pay Rumuekpe.

We don’t have road, we don’t have light, nothing, our community is just like a forest. We don’t want to fight, we’re telling the people that the marginalization is too much. The company’s representative should go back and tell their Head.”

Though Shell or Renaissance had yet to react to the claim by Rumuekpe Community, a source in Renaissance, who pleaded anonymity as he was not authorized to speak on the matter, absolved the company of any wrongdoing.

He clarified that Renaissance holds its host communities and stakeholders in high esteem and is actively engaging with them across its divestment spectrum, assuring that “Rumuekpe Community will be sorted and all teething issues will be smoothened out. They just need to be patient”.