BIGPENNGR.COM reports that the flow station was shut down on Thursday as aggrieved youths in their numbers stormed the company’s premises in the wee hours of the day chanting solidarity songs to press home their grievances.
They were protesting the company’s failure to interface with them over vexed issues of none implementation of Local Content Act in terms of employment and also award of Pipeline Surveillance Contracts to the host communities.
Addressing newsmen, the Presidents of Isoko Development Union – Youth Wing, Mzee Fidelis; the Isoko Youth Assembly, IYA worldwide, Comrade Onoriode Gold Omagufi; President of Niger-Delta Ex – Agitators, Isoko chapter, Comr. Joseph Okor, alleged inhuman treatment of the host communities and the youth bodies by the oil firm.
They claimed that the oil company had failed to give due recognition to the youth groups despite making the environment friendly for them to operate.
They said that until their demands are met the flow station would remain shut, saying the host communities and youths have suffer untold hardship in the hands of the oil firm.
Some of placard bore by the protesting youth reads; “We say no to marginalisation, unemployment and youth deprivation”.
“We say yes to our rightful percentage of contracts, grants, employment of skills and unskilled workers” among others.
The protesters also called on the Delta State Government to call the Director General of Local Content Commission to order.
Omagufi said that the action taken against the oil firm was triggered over failure to interface with the registered youth groups over some certain unfilled commitment to both host communities and youth groups.
He said that they decided called off the protest after they were addressed by SSS Director and military personnel in the area but activities at the flow station would remain grounded until they are called for a roundtable meeting.