Ijaw youths shut down Forcados Terminal amid protests

By EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, Warri

Youths from the oil-rich Ogulagha community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, at the wee hours of Friday, shut down the Forcados Terminal over alleged slavish tendencies from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Our reporter gathered that the Ijaw youths in their number were led by the president of the youth of Ogulagha community, Comrade ThankGod Iyoragba.

The youths reportedly shut down the Forcados Terminal, and further embarked on a dance procession, armed with bells across the town attracting more sympathy from folks.

Further reports pieced have it that the main entrance of the Forcados Terminal was barricaded and the gate locked, disallowing entry and exit of SPDC staff.

As of the time of filing the report, the angry youths were still on the streets while the main entrance remained under lock and key.

President of Ogulagha community, Comrade Iyoragba, while speaking to journalists, insisted that the Terminal would remain locked until their demands were met.

He listed some of their grouses to include the urgent reinstatement of community workers allegedly sacked by SPDC in 2020 and the payment of outstanding salaries owed the said workers.

Other demands of the Ijaw youths include an end to inaccessibility to the management of SPDC by Ogulagha community executives, the disparity between community workers and ‘strangers’ who access the facility by air in the guise of COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

Meanwhile, the Ogulagha Kingdom branch of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has called on the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other leaders in the area to swiftly wade into the protest at the Forcados Terminal to avoid graver development.

This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Samuel Ebiarede Uyadongha, Chairman, and Comrade Keneware Emmanuel, Information Officer of IYC, Ogulagha and made available to newsmen in Warri on Friday.

The IYC called on the management of SPDC to halt the age-long marginalisation, sacking of workers and other demands by the Ogulagha youths.

“They protested that they have made several calls to ensure that the gate is opened and the sacked workers are restored, but to no avail.

“Now the youths are tired and have taken it upon themselves. We call on SPDC, stakeholders and leaders of the community and kingdom to wade into the issue and let the needful be done without further delay,” IYC pleaded.

As of the time of filing the report, the spokesman of SPDC, Michael Sandals could not be reached for comments. (Nigerian Tribune)