SOME youths from Ogulagha community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State invaded the Beniboye Flow Station, operated by the National Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and chased away the workers from the oil installation.
Vanguard learnt that the youths occupied the flow station after sacking the workers.
A source who distanced militants from the incursion said it was purely a protest action by Ogulagha youths, working for a contractor to the company. Their complaint is that the company has refused to give them permanent jobs. They want to be given full employment, not working for a contractor to the company.
A member of the Delta Waterways Security Committee (DWSC), Chief Second Benikrukru is already talking to the protesting youths who vowed not to leave the oil facility until Agip offers them permanent jobs.
The traditional ruler of Ogulagha, Captain Joseph Timiyan who rushed to Ogulagha yesterday over the matter told Vanguard that the disagreement was over employment.
He said that the workers from Ogulagha were asking for permanent employment, adding that he had already spoken to the Agip and the youths on how to resolve the matter.
It was learnt that the Agip had already conceded to take the youths for training in Asaba before their employment would be formalised but the youths, insisting they have been enslaved for many years, demanded that they should be given employment before any programme in Asaba.
Before the February 5 invasion, the representatives of the Agip, Odimodi and Ogulagha communities met with the Committee on Environment of the Delta State House of Assembly on the pending issues of environmental pollution and clean up.
It was agreed at the meeting that a Joint Inspection Visit (JIV), comprising the communities, Agip and other relevant agencies would be undertaken on March 12 while clean up would commence from April 13 or thereabout.