New unrest has broken out in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State, as a result of disagreement over benefit distribution under the Petroleum Industry Act, with some youths saying they will shut down oil facilities if their complaints are not addressed.
According to Clever Onyeocha, the representative of the community, some youths claim that the community leaders have deliberately kept them out of the benefits accruing to the host community under the Petroleum Industry Act.
In an interview, he alleged that while part of the benefit arising from the operation of oil is set aside for the host community, the youths were being deprived of their right to access the benefit.
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Furthermore, he alleged that some youths were attacked while carrying out a protest against the matter on the weekend.
He stated that youths are asking for a fair share of benefits from the Petroleum Industry Act, employment and better welfare as a means of curbing restiveness and criminal acts in the community.
Mr. Onyeocha appealed to the government of Rivers State and other relevant bodies to act fast, stressing that any failure to do so would end up closing down the oil operations in the area.
He further demanded an investigation into the alleged corrupt practices and transparency in the distribution of the host communities’ gains.
In his response to the allegations, the Oba of Ogbaland refused to make any statement but confirmed that he had set up a meeting with his people at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
