ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Some oil-producing communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have protested the alleged hardships being experienced by the people due to many years of oil exploration activities.
The protesting communities including Krokrosei and Olugbobiri alleged that the government and the multinational oil companies operating in their environment had neglected them over the years and had made anger, hunger and frustration their lifestyles.
In their protest letter signed by Youths Leader, Raphael Christopher, and Women Leader, Timieri Abel, the protesters claimed that because of the neglect and insensitivity of the government and oil companies, there was nothing to write home about in the areas.
They lamented the absence of social amenities such as good road networks, pipe borne water, electricity and scholarship schemes.
In the letter, which was copied to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Secretary to the State Government, House of Assembly member, Constituency 4, and the Chairman of SILGA, the protesters expressed displeasure over the lack of facilities in their schools and the alleged diversion of scholarship opportunities meant for indigenous students.
They called on the federal and state government to come to their aid and prevail on the oil companies to carry out their corporate social responsibility to the communities.
They equally called on the international oil companies (IOCs) to provide all the needed social amenities to the communities for peaceful coexistence to reign.
Some of their demands as contained in their letter of protest were the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allegedly signed over 48 years ago.
They threatened to shut down oil exploration activities in their area by December 31, 2021 and take laws into their hands if their demands were not met.
They equally threatened that they might be forced to start refining and managing their oil by themselves, claiming that they had the capacity to do so if the relevant authorities continued to treat them with levity and allow them to be suffering in the midst of plenty.