By Ovedhe Jerry.
Members of Isoko Progressive Youth Centre (IPYC) headed by Comr. Ogbalor Anthony as its President in collaboration with Irri Community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State have barricaded the main gate of Agip Flow Station in Irri/Idheze road over negligence and total refusal of the Multi – national billion Naira oil Company operating in Irri as the Host Community to meet their demands just as the line at the Irri/Idheze and Ozoro/Oleh roads flow station were shut down.
Speaking to newsmen, Comr. Anthony Ogbalor said that, Isoko Progressive Youth Centre (IPYC) and Irri community have embarked on this peaceful protest following series of protest letters written to the company to sign a GMOU and to empower the Isoko Youths among other things that fell on deaf ears.
He disclosed to newsmen that, the gas line that were shutdown is to send signals to the company’s management in a bid to give listening ears, but further lamented the divide and rule tactics of oil companies conniving with some of the Isoko leaders to short change the people of Isoko nation cum the youths describing it as ill treatment and to the detriment of Isoko Nation.
In his words, “The protest is peaceful without any damage or destruction of equipment. It baffled us to see that the Company came with military men intimidating the youths and at the same time molesting our mothers.
Thereafter, they opened the line with force without any dialogue, the protest will last until they listen” Ogbalor said.
He however called on Isoko Traditional Rulers, Political Leaders, Elites and sundry to stand and protect what rightfully belongs to Isoko Nation so as to be in the vanguard of development.
Meanwhile, Businesses and other activities were put to a halt by the leadership of Irri Kingdom to express their dissatisfaction requesting for electricity, road networks, employment and other entitlements accruable to a host community and for the general interest of Isoko Nation.
