By Tina Amanda
Activities at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Port Harcourt, were shut down following a protest by the Mgbuoshimini community stakeholders, youths, and women groups over alleged marginalization and the awarding of surveillance contracts to killer groups terrorizing the community.
The protesters were with several placards with inscriptions such as: Agip revisit the PIA act implementation, we demand our rightful place and all entitlements amongst others.
They accused Agip of sponsoring killers of the Mgbuoshimini people by awarding cluster surveillance contracts to the killer gang group notorious Daddy Chukwu.
In an interview with our Correspondent, the Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mgbuoshimini, Nyeche Wali, demanded the termination of the contract awarded to Therdy Dedenz International Limited, allegedly owned by the late gang leader Daddy Chukwu.
Wali called on Agip to recognize Mgbuoshimini as a host community.
“We are here to say no to NAOC, today we have woken up to put a stop to what they have been doing to us. Our community demand is Agip should terminate all the contracts given to the killer groups and their sponsors.
“Agip should recognize their immediate host Mgbuoshimini community council and deal with us directly. They were awarding contracts including surveillance, drilling work and other activities to this killer group and their sponsors.
We are here to put a stop to what Agip is doing to our community”.
A Stakeholder from the Mgbuoshimini community, Livingstone Weche, said the protest will continue til their demands are met by Agip.,
“Our nearest minimum demand is Mgbuoshimini community deserves protection. We are demanding that Mgbuoshimini community should be given it rightful place in the affairs of Nigeria Agip Company as entitled by the law’s of this nation.
“Every one of us here lost our beloved ones to the delight of Agip. Our mothers have been made widows, Agip should come to address us and negotiate for compensation”.
President of Mgbuoshimini Women, Patience Okorchi, lamented that the women of Mgbuoshimini community have long be neglected by Agip Company.
“They do not employ our women, they do not recognize our widows, our youths are roaming around without Jobs. Agip should recognize Mgbuoshimini community”.
Our Correspondent reports that the protesters set up canopies and cooking fire at Agip’s entrance, blocking access for workers.
