The people of Ilelema and Okpo Communities in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State recently staged a peaceful protest against the management of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and BGP/CNPC Company doing business in their area for what they called “gross marginalization”. The protest started at about 7.30am.
The protesters numbering over 2,000 marched on the popular Degema Buguma road, chanting war songs and carrying placards with different inscriptions such as: “Ilelema and Okpo say Shell stop the marginalization and oppression. Enough is enough”, “Water rights were paid to all communities in Asalga, except Ilelema and Okpo”, “When will Shell create a cluster development for Ilelema/Okpo?”, among several others.
At the operation site of the company, armed soldiers and police officers barricaded the protesters from entering into the company.
Speaking to newsmen, the paramount ruler of Ilelema Community, Chief Benibo Iganibo and his Okpo counterpart, HRH, Chief Dr. Diamond Tobin-West alleged that the DGP/CNPC Company started its operations in the area without signing any Global
Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with the host communities. They called on the company to stop all its operations until the management does the proper things.
The royal fathers had earlier told the newsmen that the company failed to comply with the local content law by not offering employment to their youths.
The paramount rulers lampooned the management of SPDC and BGPICNPC for what they called, “divide and rule tactics”.
In his speech, the spokesman of the youth, Comrade Kingsley Solomon appealed to the Government and relevant authorities to intervene to avoid breakdown of law and order. He said, the youths would not allow any one to take away resources that belong to them.
Comrade Solomon accused the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Asalga, one Mr. Fred Horsfall of causing confusion in the company.
“The CSO, Mr. Fred Horsfall should leave the people of Ilelema and Okpo Communities alone”, Comrade Solomon pleaded.
In her speech, the women leader of Okpo Community, Madam Adaba Ekine frowned at the manner in which the company is handling the issue of employment.
She said that the BGP/CNPC has failed in its social responsibilities. “The company since inception of its operations has not provided welfare package for the host communities, but rather giving contract jobs such as supplying of fuel to non-indigenous contractors” Madam Ekine alleged.
Madam Ekine pleaded with the company not to do anything that would cause problem between its management and the host communities. ###
