Tension Mounts As Ogua/Enedua Volunteer Youths Give Shell, Agip Quit Notice
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by Oyagiri ChimeThere is palpable tension Engenni Kingdom of Ahoada West local government area, Rivers State as the deadline given to some International Oil Companies (IOCs), Shell and Agip by the Ogua/Enedua Volunteer Youths (OEVY) draws closer.
The Youths’ body in a letter written to the companies, requested that the only access road in the area that is almost eroded by perennial flooding be rehabilitated, amongst other demands.
The letter which was written in early October, 2020, revealed that several efforts by Engenni Traditional Council and Engenni Youth Assembly to draw the attention of the IOCs to what it described as, ‘pitiable condition of the road which is the exit in and out to Ogua/Enedua Clan and serves as the only route of its livelihood.’
The letter read in part, “We are by this letter giving you a 14day ultimatum to comply with this life threatening situation, or else, we shall embark on a peaceful protest”.
The Ogua/Enedua Volunteer Youths President, Comr. Sampson K. Oviemenavaya in a press conference recently said that the youths delayed to carry out its threat because it wanted to explore all peaceful means to achieve its demands and also, to consult all segments of stakeholders.
Oviemenavaya declared that; “The youths haven exhausted its patience, with the IOCs undermining our peaceful disposition, after reminding them, we shall have no option than to embark on mothers of all protest.
“The protest will involve the youths, aged women/men, people with disabilities and children. Every person that comes from Ogua/ Enedua Clan will participate in the protest.”
The youth leader wondered why the IOCs could be this wicked and without any iota of conscience in relating with host communities.
He called on the security agencies to hold the IOCs responsible for any breakdown of law and order, as according to him; “We are aware that the IOCs in their usual way of setting confusion to get its way has released money to some cohorts to cause trouble”, he alleged.
The President warned his people to take whatever money offered them by the IOCs, but should not take part in formenting any form of trouble against the planned “mother of all protests”.
Efforts to reach the spokespersons of the IOCs proved abortive.
Monday, November 30, 2020 is the fixed date for the peaceful protest.
