-We can’t be slaves in our own land – protesting youths
Youths in Ogulagha Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have protested against an alleged marginalzation and injustice melted on them by the Shell Petroleum Development Company.
The protest is a direct result of the indiscriminate displacement of over 50 indigenous workers from the community.
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The protesters in their large numbers blocked the entrance gate to SPDC Forcados Terminal in the wee hours on Tuesday, disrupting all oild operations and promising to continue the protest and shutdown SPDC if they are not called back to work and all their arrears paid.
Speaking with news men during the protest, the youth president of Ogulalagha Community, Mr Anthony Waterwei expressed displeasure on the attitude of SPDC towards indigenous workers, lamenting that the SPDC is taking them for granted.
The youth president revealed that the SPDC does not employ up to 10% of numbers contained in the MoU the community entered with them.
“It’s so painful that my brothers have been at home for over 9 months without salary, they sent our people home and fly in their people. Imagine SPDC sacking Community workers for no reason.”
“As I speak to you over 50 workers from the host Community have been dropped from work and have been seating at home for months.”
One of the sacked staffs who identified himself as Mr ThankGod IYaragba narrated that since they were sent home, they have find it difficult to cater for their family.
“SPDC doesn’t care about our welfare. He stressed that SPDC is marginalizing indigenous workers.”
Another protester named Deka Waterwei expressed anger over the ill treatment Community workers have been experiencing from the SPDC.
Mr Deka states that SPDC sent us home why they fly in there brothers and sisters to occupy all the offices in Forcados Terminal.
Meanwhile, the protesters called on SPDC and the Delta State Government to do the needful or expect a total shutdown.
