13 November 2015, Warri —The rift between youths of Ndokwa nation and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, over alleged unwillingness of the company to step down its Independent Power Plant at Okpai, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, for the benefit of Ndokwa people, has deepened.
The irate youths, under the aegis of Ndokwa Youths Alive Progressive Forum, NYAPF, have cut off a transmission line of the plant over the alleged failure of the company to meet their demands.
It will be recalled that Ndokwa youths have been at loggerheads with Agip for allegedly reneging on its promise to step down the facility to boost electricity supply in Ndokwa nation, 10 years after its establishment in the area.
Vanguard learned that the cutting off of the transmission line came as stakeholders and the representatives of the company held a meeting at the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Abuja to resolve the contentious issues.
It was gathered that the transmission line was cut off from the plant’s tower at about 4a.m., on Wednesday.
Claiming responsibility for the action, the group’s Public Relations Officer, Odanike Azuka, said the move was aimed at pressing home their demand which he said, also include the construction of a bridge across Ase creek.
Azuka, who spoke to Vanguard on telephone, lamented that Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwani Local Government Areas, which make up Ndokwa nation, have been in total darkness despite the presence of the IPP which he said was stepped down in Obosi in Anambra State and is providing electricity in nine states and parts of Abuja.
Noting that Agip was insensitive to the plight of the people, he said the company cannot account for at least five Ndokwa indigene under its employment as direct staff since it started operation in their land in 1962.
Azuka said their action would also serve as a deterrent to other oil companies operating in Ndokwa nation which are working against the interests of the people.
On why the group decided to cut off the transmission line while the stakeholders’ truce meeting was ongoing in Abuja, he said the meeting was the company’s ploy to buy time, adding that a similar meeting with the company in time past did not yield the desired results.
- Vanguard