Edo Community in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, blocked an oil firm, Savannah Energy Limited, operating in their area with the claims that the oil firm through its Superintendent is selling job slot to non-members of the communities, against what is contain in the MOU.
The superintendent of the oil firm who goes by the name Mr Chukwudosiem Umunna, was accused by the community youths for selling off Job slots to foreigners while the community suffers the brunt from the oil drilling going on in the community.
Part of his offence includes;
Refusing to employ youths from the host community;
Refusing to increase staff salaries;
Refusing to employ graduates from the host community trained by the company during graduate internship programs, but will retain outsiders in same level.
The protesters, who were mostly youths, placed a traditional injunction, demanding the stoppage of the operation of the company until their demands were met.
In their placards, the protesters expressed anger over the alleged nonchalant attitudes of the management of the company, which they alleged have continued to pay deaf ears to their demands.
The youths demanded that;
Savannah energy Ltd should treat host community workers as they treat other workers from outside the community;
Respect local content law by giving our youths contracts meant for the community;
Increase salary of community staffs working with them to match other staff in the same level/qualifications;
Job meant for indigenous contractors should be given same, not bringing contractors outside when we have the manpower to do it;
Retaining community graduates trained by company, same way they retain those outsiders.
the placards carry different description to display the youths frustration with the Company while embarking on the peaceful protest.
The State House member for Esit Eket/Ibeno state Constituency, Hon. Friday Udobia, who spoke with the youths showed solidarity and solicited for patience while he seeks counsel with the company to resolve their demands.
See pictures and videos of the protest below;
