“RIVERS COMMUNITY RISES UP: OGBOGU DEMANDS TOTALENERGIES’s EXPULSION OVER DECADES OF NEGLECT”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Ogbogu Community in Rivers State has taken a bold stance against oil multinational Total Energies, calling for the company’s expulsion from their community and the continent. The community cites a long history of corporate neglect and disregard for their welfare as the reason behind their demand.
Community Grievances:
– Environmental Concerns: The community likely has concerns about the environmental impact of Total Energies’ operations, including oil spills and pollution.
– Lack of Development: Ogbogu Community may feel that the company has not contributed sufficiently to the development of their area, despite the wealth generated from their resources.
– Corporate Neglect: The community’s demand for Total Energies’ expulsion suggests a deep-seated feeling of neglect and disregard for their needs and concerns
Possible Outcomes:
– Community Protests: The community’s demand may lead to protests and unrest, potentially disrupting Total Energies’ operations in the area.
– Government Intervention: The Rivers State government or federal authorities may need to intervene to address the community’s concerns and find a resolution.
– Reputation Impact: Total Energies’ reputation may be affected if the company is seen as neglecting the needs and concerns of the Ogbogu Community
The meeting which had community members, community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders who accused TotalEnergies of employing divide-and-rule tactics within the community, making empty promises of development, and consistently failing to properly compensate for damages.
This gathering form part of a broader continental movement, with similar actions taking place simultaneously in nine other African nations including Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa. This coordinated Africa Week of Action, spearheaded by 350 Africa, represents a growing wave of resistance against fossil fuel corporations across the Africa
A member of the community, Mr. Ajie Wisdom stated that they are insisting that Total leaves Nigeria, as their operations have done more harm than good in the community”. He pointed out that Total gas flaring operations have negative impacted on the health of residents in the community.
They called for a comprehensive environmental remediation, to heal their poisoned land and waterways, reparations for years of lost livelihoods and health impacts, and stronger government oversight to prevent such corporate abuses in the future.
In a powerful show of unity, the community clearly stated their demands:
“TotalEnergies must immediately cease operations and leave not just Ogbogu but Nigeria entirely. “The era of unchecked corporate destruction in Nigeria is over, and the fight for environmental justice has only just begun.”
The community jointly vowed to escalate their campaign through legal action, sustained protests, and appeals to global allies.
Mr. Endurance Oriakhogba, Project Officer, CODAF announced plans to channel the community’s testimonies into formal petitions at the Africa tribunal which will hold in South Africa on the 24th of August 2025.
“We will take Ogbogu’s cry for justice to every relevant forum until TotalEnergies is held accountable and our environment restored.”
The meeting served as both a sobering documentation of corporate abuse and an inspiring display of community resilience. With the eyes of a continent-wide movement now on Ogbogu, this small Niger Delta community has positioned itself at the forefront of Africa’s growing fight against environmental injustice in the fossil fuel industry.
For decades, TotalEnergies has operated across Africa, extracting resources, displacing communities, and polluting the environment under the banner of “development.” In reality, their operations have left a legacy of oil spills, toxic gas flaring, forced displacement, and broken promises, enriching foreign corporations while deepening poverty and environmental harm.
The Kick Total Out of Africa campaign is a continent-wide call to end this exploitation and demand justice, reparations, and a just energy transition led by communities.
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