Protesters Storm Seplat Oil Facility In Delta Community

Hundreds of protesters from Ikweghwu community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, stormed a crude oil facility owned by Seplat Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, on Thursday morning to demand for jobs and infrastructure development in their area.

The protesters on Thursday, who stormed the facility as early as 6am, said that they were yet to benefit from the community’s oil wealth.

Also they demanding an end to what they described as oppression and intimidation from the management of the company.

The protesters who carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘we can’t be suffering in our own land’ ‘We need our Memorandum of understanding now’. ‘We need access control’. ‘8 years of slavery, we say no’ etc, danced at the company’s entrance with a DJ providing music non-stop.

They also prevented access into the facility.

President General of the Community, Comrade David Uyelaju, said they need a clearly written Memorandum of Understanding, MoU and jobs for their sons and daughters, stressing that the community has not been treating them fairly.

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He said they have been towing the part of peace for the past 8 years, adding that they demand action from the company within 14 days.

According to him, failure to “do this, will amount to our continuous stay here until our demands are met.

“We have been understanding; we have continued to be patient and they are taking us for granted, even our Royal father have had to intervene in this, yet they have refused to sign the MoU.”

The community secretary, Duke Dino Ayerunu on his part said that they have resolved to stay put at the company’s gate to press home their demands,

However as at press time, the management of the firm could not be reached for reaction.