Protesters Shutdown IOCs Over Exclusion of Pipeline Surveillance Contract In Rivers State
By Peregba Jerry
Protesters from Rumuekpe community in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State have shutdown the only entrance to the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the area.
The protesters are alleging that upland communities are excluded from the multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Government Ekpemopolo (aka Tompolo).
The protest since last week entered its seventh day yesterday.
Over 2000 indigenes and members of Association of Niger Delta Upland Communities (ANDUC), have been occupying the only access road to the community.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, President of ANDUC, Isa Mohammed, regretted that the surveillance contract meant for youths from upland communities was being given to riverine communities.
Mohammed demanded that “the N26.4 billion meant to clear eight months salaries of Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), security workers allegedly paid by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited ( PINL) to fake warlords in the riverine areas be returned to upland communities.”
He demanded that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) releases original copies of documents for the surveillance contract for TNP oil pipeline to upland communities.
Mohammed said: “Today is the seventh day of shutdown of production of daily 700,000 barrels of crude oil in Rumuekpe Manifold, amounting to 4.9 million barrels, but they decided to be adamant after several letters and appeals.
“We are freedom fighters and we are appealing to governments, including international communities to resolve this matter, because upland communities have been in captivity to so called warlords in riverine communities.
Chief Security Officer of ANDUC, ThankGod Esevi, (aka Father) and some community leaders, hailed the shutting down of activities of IOCs in the area, saying the people were being taken for granted.
They called for attention from NNPCL and the Federal Government, adding if nothing is done to address their demands in seven days, they would move the government to the community.
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