Igoniko Oduma, Yenagoa
Youths of host communities in Koluama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, staged a protest against alleged neglect of the communities by Chevron Nigeira Limited, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Over 100 young men and women marched on major roads in the capital carrying placards in protest against what they termed insensitivity on the part of the oil company since the gas fire explosion from its KS Endeavour Rig in January 2012. They demanded explanations for the failure to pay compensation for the rig fire, which burned for 46 days.
On September 15, 2014,youths from Koluama II community had occupied Chevron’s North Apoi oil platform to protest non-payment of compensation for the rig blowout.
They only vacated the facility after officials of the oil firm opted for dialogue brokered by a former Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Maj-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.
On Tuesday, spokesperson for the youths, Stephen Ebrasin, said that they wanted to draw the attention of the oil firm to the plight of the communities caused by the rig explosion.
