Traditional Rulers of Rumuji community blocking the frontage of Greenville Petrochemicals, Rivers.
Rumuji, the host community of Greenville oil, in Emohua local government area of Rivers state, has shutdown operations at the company demanding review of MoU signed with the company.
Leaders and youths of Rumuji said they also want the company to immediately review lease agreement and Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, reports covering Greenville operations in their community.
Our correspondent who was at the scene of protest reports that the protesters led by traditional rulers and leadership of Rumuji community development committee, locked the gate of Greenville oil and hoisted traditional injunctions on the fence at the frontage of the coy.
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The protesters sat on the floor at the major entrance of the company’s gate with traditional drums and raffia leaves.
They resisted men of the Nigerian Army protecting the company who tried to force them out; our correspondent added.
Chairman of Rumuji community development committee, Godswill Osu-Oshimini who spoke on behalf of the community accused Greenville oil of exploiting the community.
Protesters at the entrance of Greenville Petrochemicals.
Osu-Oshimini said they will shutdown the company for two weeks.
“This company has refused to come to roundtable with us the host community. Despite different letters and invitation, we have written to DSS and Rivers State Police Command, calling them for a meeting, there has been no response.”
“But we suffering from their activities. If you keep any of your properties outside for few minute, touch it, you will see black soot everywhere, we are dying, yet the company does not want to give us our entitlement.”
“They have deceived us a lot, we will remain here for two weeks until the Managing Director comes by himself to talk with us, we do not want any representative from the community, let them come direct to us”.
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Rumuji community women leader, Justina Okpore alleged that the company have refused to employ indigenes of the community as skilled staff, saying that those employed as casual staff are paid N20,000 monthly.
“The land this company is occupying is all our husbands have. We used to farm on it, we do everything in it but now the company has occupied it, we no longer farm, that is why we want the company to employ our children and pay them well.”
