By Edeki Igafe
Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta, has given Chevron Nigeria a 14-day ultimatum to provide them with electricity.
The people marched to the Otunana flow station operated by Chevron on Wednesday to protest against what they called, ”insensitivity” of the oil giant to their plight.
They threatened to disrupt business activities of the company should it fail to meet the deadline.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such “14 days ultimatum to connect us with electricity as promised by CNL 19 years ago”.
“Pay our land royalty now Chevron”; “No light for Kokodiagbene, No oil for Chevron”; and “Don’t intimidate us with security, all we want is electricity”.
The protesters, including women, accused Chevron of reneging on the agreement they reached with the community 19 years ago to provide electricity.
Mr Sheriff Milady, the Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community, who addressed Chevron staff and security men at the station, said: “The oil company had agreed to supply electricity to the community about 19 years ago.’’
“No concrete efforts has been made by Chevron to provide electricity in the community despite several reminders and protest letters.’’
They are argued that aside the agreement, the supply of electricity was part of the social responsibility of the company.
“Chevron has been operating here. We even protected their facilities during the 2003 Niger Delta crisis.
“We are giving Chevron 14 days ultimatum to address the supply of electricity to Kokodiagbene, failure will attract the disruption of operations at the flow station,” he said.
Responding, Mr Musa Akun, the Field Security Officer (FSO) of Chevron, Otunana flow station, thanked the protesters and promised to convey their demand to Chevron management. (NAN)
