The youths of Ke community in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the management of Del-Sigma Marginal Oil Field for what they called, “marginalization and oppression”.
The protesting youths numbering over fifty (50) barricaded the office of the company at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, chanting war songs.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as: Del-Sigma stop instigating violence in Ke community”, The chiefs are only existing authority in Ke community,” “Del-stigma give us copy of MoU,” and several others.
Speaking to newsmen during the protest the leader of Ke youths, Comrade Akonte Pokubo accused the management of Del-Sigma of fueling crisis in the area. He alleged that the company is operating within the Ke community without Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which, Comrade Pokubo described as “wickedness and a calculated attempt to under develop Ke community”.
The youth leader further alleged that the operational activities of Del-Sigma has destroyed aquatic life in Ke water ways and creeks.
He accused the company of conniving with one Soye Ekpo to cause mayhem and unleash terror on the community.
Comrade Pokubo issued the company 7 day ultimatum to listening to their demands or else the youths of the community will do the needful.
The youth leader frowned at the ugly behaviour of Mr. Ekpo, which he alleged has sent a lot of people into their early graves.
He also blasted Operational Area Developmental Board (OADB) and threatened to expose all those who are engaging in piracy and killings in community.
In his speech, Michael Agina-Obu recalled that the Del-Sigma commences operations in Ke in 2007, lamenting that since then the company has not impacted positively on the lives of the people of Ke town.
He alleged that the OADB now conniving with the consultant one Barr. I.T Amachree to sub-charge the entire community.
Agina-Obu said that social amenities are totally absent in the community and accused the company of inciting violence. He called on the security agencies and other relevant authorities to come to their aid. ###
