Ndokwa West Community protests against SEEPCO/Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon over failure of the company to sign MoU with them

Ogbeani Community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State earlier today, Monday April 12, reportedly protested against Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company, SEEPCO/Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon Limited, over perceived failure of the company to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with them.

Report syndicated to Fresh Angle International, says members of the community, including the old and young, took over the premises of the company as early as 9.00am, barring all forms of movement to and from the firm

As at 3.30 pm, when this report was filed, the protesters carrying placards with different inscriptions, were still at the premises of SEEPCO/Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon Limited.

Some aggrieved indigenes of Ogbeani, during the protest

Speaking with journalists, one of the protesters, Architect Samuel Enebeli, stated that the company has failed to sign MoU with the community, since they commenced operations.

He noted that the community embarked on the peaceful protest, to let the world know about the activities of the SEEPCO/Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon.

Enebeli, added that the protesters will not stop the demonstration until their demands are met.

Also, Mr. Festus Obodeh, disclosed that the agitation by the community for fair treatment by the company, had attracted the intervention of the Delta State Government, observing that the company was not respecting government and the host community.

He emphasized that it was wrong for SEEPCO/Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon Limited, to be operating without a Community Liaison Officer or reaching an understanding with their host.

High Chief Peter Udome, who also spoke with newsmen at the premises of the company, decried the situation, where the company engaged more than 5,000 Indians and more than 200 non-indigenes, with nobody employed from Ogbeani Community.

A youth leader in the community, Mr. Lucky Aninwe, noted that the protest was long overdue as the company took the community for granted.

He said, "we have always wanted to protest against the company but, the elders have refrained us, seeking peaceful means of resolving issues, and it is good that today, we have come out to let them know that things should be done right.

"They cannot just ignore the host community endlessly even with the intervention of the state government; we are not ending this protest until our demands are met."

Some of the messages on the placards read: "We need immediate signing of MoU," "We Need To See The C.E.O,"  "Give Us Job."  and “SANDEEP, Stop Frustrating Ogbeani".

Some of the protesters

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