'Oil companies frustrating Isoko alternative energy quest'

The quest by oil-rich Isoko ethnic nation in Delta State to channel its share of funds accruing from the three per cent Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) and invest it in gas-powered alternative energy is being threatened by the oil corporations in Isoko North and Isoko South councils.

This is as inquiries made to the companies by Isoko nation’s apex social cultural body, Isoko Development Union (IDU), continue to hit the brick wall by the refusal of the oil companies to disclose how much is due to the Isoko nation since the PIA law came into effect.

IDU has expressed worry that this development will scuttle the body’s intention to provide alternation power to Isoko nation to rev up businesses, making way for the establishment of industries in Isoko to provide employment and reduce youth restiveness.

Worried by the poor electricity supply year-in year-out, because of the inability of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to provide power, IDU decided to explore alternative provision of power to its citizens by converting the abundant gas being flared by these oil companies to electricity.

It was learnt that IDU’s quest for alternative energy provision is as a result of the Federal Government’s utter neglect of Isoko people as a major oil-producing ethnic nation that has no single government’s presence in terms of facilities or political patronage with regard to appointment of Isoko sons or daughters into any federal organ or position, whether as minister, diplomat or head of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).

Uzere, a community in Isoko, is the second community where oil was discovered shortly after Oloibiri in Bayelsa State in commercial quantities. It was learnt that whereas Oloibiri’s oil wells have since dried up, the wells in Uzere are still waxing strong as major oil and gas hubs that supply huge quantities of hydrocarbons that continue to fuel the national economy.

Yet Uzere and the entire Isoko are in darkness without any Federal Government’s presence. This is also the case in other Isoko communities that are hosts to oil facilities, from Olomoro, Oleh, Irri to Ozoro, Ovruode, among others.