For what they called highhandedness, intimidation, lack of corporate social responsibility and others, indigenes of Olomoro community, Isoko south local government area of Delta State, Wednesday took to the streets to protest against Heritage oil services.
The protesters mainly women and girls who are also protesting the alleged unlawful detention of some community indigenes who are staff of the company been owed four months and refusal of the company to sign the global memorandum of understanding, (MoU) with the community since last year, vowed to disrupt activities of the company until their grievances are addressed.
The placards carry protesters number over two thousand with different inscriptions such as “No salary No Heritage”, “Heritage is oppressing Olomoro community” and “Olomoro community needs employment” among others matched through the old Olomoro road to the company’s gate at Olomoro/Oleh flow station were resisted entrance into the company premises by soldiers and mobile policemen.
Speaking during the protesters, president general Olomoro community development, Mr. Blessing Agboro, gave other reasons for the protest to includes, refusal to employ indigenes while other tribes are given employment, denial of indigenes contract slots, negligence of the company to dialogue with the hosts community, unconditional release of the four staff unlawfully detained and signing of the global memorandum of understanding on free to operate agreement.
Mr. Agboro vowed that until Heritage oil services addressed the above issues raised, the protesters will remain in front of the company’s premises, saying that the traditional ruler of the community was disregarded by the management of Heritage Oil Company.
“Since April 2017 the company resumed operation, the executive of Olomoro community development has offered hand of fellowship to the company severally, but the company refused, until the protest conditions are met, they will not allow the company to operate.”
On his part, vice president Olomoro community development, Henry Edewor, corroborated Mr. Agboro’s speech, and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari,
and governor Ifeanyi Okowa to prevail on Heritage oil service to heed the yearnings and demands of Olomoro community.
Speaking in the same vein, woman leader of Olomoro community, Mrs. Foto Osiobe, appealed to Heritage Company to release the four Olomoro indigenes detained unconditionally stressing that the injustice meted on the people of the community has reached a climax, adding that the women and youths were suffering due to complete neglect of heritage oil services to the people of the community.