From Amgbare Prince in Yenagoa
Aggrieved Women from Okoroma-Clan (Obama) in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State took to the streets on Saturday to protest what they described as decades of neglect by oil multinational OandO, which has operated in the region for over 55 years.
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscription like “Enough is Enough!” and “We have been neglected and suffering,” accused the oil company of failing to contribute to human capacity building or infrastructure development in their community.
The protesters accused OandO of failing to provide infrastructure development or human capacity building despite 55 years of oil extraction in the region.
They also criticised the federal and state governments for offering no substantial support to the community.
The Leader of the protesters, Madam Gloria Jonah, told newsmen that they were ready to continue to occupy the Agip jetty located in Okoroma waterways until the management answered their demands for better treatment and implementation of 35 per cent affirmation in awards of contracts and empowerment for the people of the area.
According to Madam Jonah, “the Okoroma women have visited the Port Harcourt office of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and presented their case before the State Government but they failed to resolved it.
“The company has been operating in Okoroma clan since 1975 and the women have never benefitted. We are demanding the involvement of the women in contract awards and the implementation of the 35 per cent women affirmation in empowerment and human capacity development.
“We have asked men to stay away from our protest because they have betrayed the women when it comes to implementation of contracts and empowerment.”
The Women equipped with kitchen utensils and sleeping materials vowed to continue their demonstration until OandO addressed their demands through direct engagement.
Efforts to obtain comments from Oando proved abortive as of the time of filling in this report.
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 in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State took to the streets on Saturday to protest...){kind=link}