10 August 2016, Warri – Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, evacuated its workers from the Escravos Tank Farm, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, on Wednesday, as the protest by elders, leaders, youths and women of host Ugborodo, an Itsekiri community, who laid siege to the company since Tuesday, worsened.
A security staff confirmed to Vanguard at about 4.00 pm, “An Aero plane just landed like 40 minutes back to continue evacuation of top staff from the tank farm. This is in addition to other staff, earlier evacuated with the choppers. But junior staff is not going in or out company because of the tense situation.”
The protesting villagers, who alleged neglect and discrimination by the multinational oil conglomerate set bonfires and occupied the company’s premises, refusing all entreaties by security agencies to vacate the premises until the authorities addressed their demands.
Reports from the area said that the villagers cordoned the main entrance preventing access in and out of the company.
While the villagers were protesting outsiders, some of affected workers complained inside, raising fears among the management officials.
Contacted, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, Mr. Deji Haastrup, simply stated: “We are engaging them.”
- Vanguard
