15 February 2014, Warri -There was panic in Escravos in Warri area of Delta State on Saturday morning as armed troops stormed the Escravos Gas to Liquid facility to break the week-long industrial action by aggrieved workers.
It was learnt that armed troops shot their way into the camp, which has been shut down by the angry workers since Monday morning.
Panicky workers at the facility told our reporter: “The soldiers came yesterday and gave us ultimatum to open up the premises or face the consequences. They waited till about 5pm and left. That was yesterday (Friday).
“But they came back this morning and shot their way in. They cut the wire fence and started beating everybody with whips and the butts of the guns. They were firing teargas and shooting sporadically,” our source added.
Workers had grounded activities at the $8.4bn EGTL plant over disagreement with management and alleged poor working conditions.
They complained about the health hazard of their jobs at the facility, lack of proper remuneration and poor quality food since Chevron took over the facility from the builders.
Some workers were fleeing the facility in boats at the time of this report.
– The Nation
