Chiefs, elders, shutdown multi-national Total/E&P

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Angry Chiefs, youths and women of Umu-Ebe in Ama community of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area in Rivers state have shutdown the operations of Total/E&P by barricading all roads leading to the entrance of the company since last night protesting against neglect of their community by the company.

The paramount ruler of Umu-Ebe in Ama community, Chief Innocent Ogada accused the company of neglect, poor community relations, lack of employment and the non-recognition of contractors from Umu-Ebe since 1991 when the company started its operations in the community.

He vowed that the protest would be sustained until the company signs a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with them.

Speaking in same vein, the youth leader of the community, Newman Ogada lamented that youths of the areas have resorted to cult related activities and gangsterism due to unemployment and lack of patronage by the multinational company.

He wondered why the company continued to take the families that own the land they operate upon for granted for about 23 years without regards to their welfare and MOU.

As at the time of the report, they had not made an official reaction to closure of their operations in the area.

There were indications that the official position of the company would be made later.