“Speak Directly to Communities, Not Middlemen” –Olu of Warri on Niger Delta’s Hardship

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the suffering of the Niger Delta people.

In a BBC interview, he urged the Nigerian government and oil companies to take direct action instead of relying on middlemen. “If you want to make a real difference, you need to speak directly to the communities, not through people who change the promises,” he said. Many Niger Delta communities still suffer from poor infrastructure, pollution, and a lack of basic services like clean water and healthcare.

Ogiame Atuwatse III noted that despite the Niger Delta’s oil wealth, the people still lack essential services like electricity, clean water, and good healthcare. “Why can’t you spend just three million dollars to give people clean water?” he asked, challenging the government and oil companies to use even a small part of the money earned from the region to improve living conditions.

While the Itsekiri people are known for being peaceful, the Warri monarch stated that frustration is reaching a tipping point. “Sometimes you need to shout to be heard. If not, they won’t listen. Our people are fed up,” he said, highlighting the growing sense of injustice among communities that have been ignored for too long, despite the wealth being taken from their land.

Ogiame Atuwatse III also raised concerns about the damage caused by oil spills and gas flaring in the region. Many people have had to give up their traditional ways of living, like fishing and farming, because of the pollution. “This is not just about money; it’s about survival. People are losing their lives because of the pollution, and it’s been going on for too long,” he said. Even though the Niger Delta is Nigeria’s oil center, it remains one of the poorest regions, with people still lacking basic needs like clean water and electricity.

The Olu of Warri ‘s disappointment is not just with the slow response to local protests, but also with the repeated pattern of unfulfilled promises. He urged the government to take meaningful action, using the cleanup efforts in Ogoniland as a model, and expand those initiatives to all Niger Delta communities affected by environmental damage.