By Loveth Ojogun & Samuel Abai

Ijaw youths, under the auspices of the Egbema Youth Council, (EYC) along Benin river in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, have shut down operations at the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 40 in Ogbeti-okun Oil Field operated by NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture over non-recognition and marginalisation of their communities.

The youths are staging the peaceful protest to express their grievances against the oil firms and carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: “NPDC/Elcrest must recognise communities as host,” “We want women and youths employment,” among others.

According to them, they are protesting against marginalisation by Elcrest/NPDC who has been operating in the area since 2013 without any benefit; they are not recognized as host communities, no employment, no potable water to drink, no light, etc.

They vowed not to stop until NPDC officials come out to address them and provide the legal GMoU that would guide future operations.

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