Bayelsa Community youths protest against AGIP over alleged marginalization

Angry Olugbobiri community youths in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa have protested against Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over what they described as marginalization of the community.

The protest which was carried out during the weekend paralysed commercial activities in the community.

The aggrieved youths, speaking through their leader, Commander Raphael Christopher, demanded employment opportunities and befitting welfare packages for the community.

The youths who protested half naked, alleged the community had been short-changed by Agip oil company operating in the area, adding there must be justice and fair play in the oil operations in the Community.

They made 5-point demands which evolved around piling of the water front of the community to save the Community from erosion, sand-filling of the back of the community to enable more development in the community, Connecting direct light from the flow-station to the community to boost the economy of the area, Employment for indigenes of the community, award of scholarship for indigenes of the community and among others.

The aggrieved youths said their demands be met before December to avoid break down of law and order in the state.The protesters lamented that AGIP has been operating in the community for over 30years, extracting oil but had failed woefully in its social responsibility in the community.

Mr Ralph who was the leader of the protesters, also called on the security agents to stop making themselves willing tools in the hands of the oil companies to intimidate the community but should rather advise them to do the right thing.