Gridlock at Marina Junction#MHE#as youth from Eket Federal Constituency comprises of Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna block the road leading to ExxonMobil operational base at Qua Iboe Terminal in protest of unfair treatment by IOCs andother servicing companies operating in the area.
The youth numbering in hundreds say that the blocking of the road is serve as a warning to the main protest that will erupt the entire activities of the oil companies operating in the area. They expressed displeasure that the companies have failed to hearken to the demands of the host communities. They listed relocation of ExxonMobil headquarter to the area of operation, review of MoU with the host communities, integration and engagement of local contracts in project execution, providion of social amentities, empowerment of youth of the area, elevation of indigenes of the area to Directorship and managerial positions, implementation of federal government local content policy, among other things. They expressed dismay over inability of ExxonMobil to respond to their letters for a round table discussion to address the issues they raised but resulted in treat their demands with contempt, saying suck recaltrant behaviour will not be condone henceforth.
It will be recall that last year December, the Host Community Youth Movement, decided to lead a mother of all protest to ExxonMobil operational facilities on the negligence by the company to address the issues bordering on the host communities. The protest was stand down from appeal by the Transition Chairman of Eket local government area, Hon Frank Archibong and the Commissioner of Police who stated that the demands are genuine and due the communities but the timing was wrong considering the fact that the state was mourning the victims of Reigners Bible Church collapse.
Speaking with some of the youth leaders, they vowed not to compromise their position as the IOCs owe the communities a depth of gratitude for not taking arms against them as is done in other Niger Delta region but insisted that their peaceful conduct should not be taken as a sign of weakness. They also warned leaders and stakeholders from the communities not to compromise their demands as any such attempt may cause a repeat of Ogoni story.
The warning protest is coordinated by Host Community Youth Movement, Afigh Iwaad Ekid, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Five Villages Youth Movement and Joint Core Contractors Initiative.
Reporting live.......tksporadic#
Cc:
Ephraim Inyang Aniekeme Finbarr Ekerete Udoh Essien Nse David Lawrence Aniekan Uko Samuel Udoh Aniekan Bassey Emmanuel Nicholas Okokon Daniel Daniel Frank Archibong Csp Frank Mba Osondu Ahirika Henshaw Bassey Franklyn Isong Eunice Thomas Thomas Tomas Utitofon Morgan Ukpong Assam Abia Assam E. Assam Ubong Assam Assam Usoro Udoantia Jay Assam Effiong Assam Ntekim Essien Ndueso
No comments:
Post a Comment