Youths Cripple Operations Of NNPC’s Subsidiaries In Delta

Hundreds of youths from Delta state on Tuesday crippled the operations of subsidiaries of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged gross marginalization and anti-labour practices.

BIGPEN ONLINE learnt that the youths drawn from ethnic nationalities youth bodies grounded activities at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), Product and Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at the early hours of today.

The protesters who stormed the road leading to the companies as early as 7:30 am disallowed vehicular movement including petrol tankers from accessing the Warri Depot and others from gaining access into the NPA expressway and eleven neighbouring communities.

The development however caused heavy gridlock along the ever busy NPA expressway as residents who leave around Ekpan, Ubeji, Jeddo and its environs had a tough time getting to their various destinations.

The youths have been protesting the alleged planned relocation of the NGMC from Warri to Abuja over a purported false security concern.

The youths also protested the alleged continuous casualization of indigenes of host communities by the NNPC.

Some of the placards bore by the protesters read: “NNPC stop casualization of host communities’ workers”, “We are the goose that lay the golden egg”, “NNPC must respect the Local Content Act”, ” Ijaw Youths Council demands community slots from NNPC”.

Other read, “Isoko Youths demands community slot from NNPC”, Ndokwa Youths demand community slots from NNPC”, “Ika Youths demand community slots from NNPC”, “Itsekiri National Youths Council demands community slots from NNPC”, and host communities demand her fair share of slots in NNPC recruitment”.

Similarly, Ugborodo Community had last week protested and grounded operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL in Escravos over alleged gross marginalization.