Irate youths from Agbidiama Community in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Thursday, staged a protest and shut down the Clough Creek flow station owned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
President of the Agbidiama Youth Council, Mr. Torke Ekpetun, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, lamented years of neglect by the SPDC, saying the oil major abandoned its community development obligations.
Ekpetun said an allied company, Clinthwealth Nigeria Limited, contracted by the Shell since 2018 to provide services at its oilfield in the region, failed to engage the youths of the area in its activities.
He said: “We frown at the current situation whereby host communities will bear the adverse impacts of operations of these oil companies with little or no benefit.
“We are yearning for dialogue to resolve all issues. They (SPDC and others) have refused to recognise a duly constituted youth leadership in employment matters.”
“As we strive for a stronger relationship with our host communities, we are open to discussions on any complaints for an amicable resolution.”