Isoko oil kingdom protests against neglect by firm

The people of Olomoro Kingdom in Isoko south local government area of Delta State have staged a peaceful protest against its neglect by Heritage Oil Services and alleged unlawful detention of the workers being owed for four months as well as refusal of the firm to sign the global memorandum of understanding with the host community which has expired since April 2017.

The over two thousand members of community protesting peacefully marched to the company’s gate at Olomoro/Oleh flow station, carrying various placards with inscriptions such as ‘No salary No Heritage,’ ‘Heritage is oppressing Olomoro community’ and ‘Olomoro community needs employment.’ They were prevented from entering the company premises by soldiers and mobile policemen. However, the town’s securitymen and vigilantes appealed to the protesters just as community leaders prevailed on the youths to embrace peace.

Speaking to newsmen, Pastor Blessing Agboro, president general of Olomoro community development union, said other reasons for the peaceful protest included Heritage’s refusal to employ and give contracts to its indigenes while people from other tribes are employed and engaged as contractors, refusal to dialogue with the host community, unconditional release of the four workers unlawfully detained and signing of the global MoU or free to operate agreement.