Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Activities at the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and Oil and Gas Free Zone, both in Onne, Eleme LGA of Rivers State, have been disrupted following protest by community youths, over alleged neglect and marginalization by companies operating in the free zone.
The protesting youths who had blocked the entrance of the free zone, lamented that despite playing host to over 200 companies operating in the Free Zone, indigenes have no jobs, while Onne community remains undeveloped.
The youths who said they were part of the ongoing protest on #EndSars and police brutality, said they also want an end to bad governance in the country.
They also demanded to be given a separate local government from Eleme.
Leader of the protesters, who gave his name as Obarilomate, explained that NPA Onne, which houses the Federal Ocean Terminal and the Federal Lighter Terminal, has not impacted on their lives despite operating on their land for years.
He explained that Onne given its landmass, population and resources was viable enough to have a separate local government and called on the government to look into it.
“We are not only saying #EndSARS, we are also saying no to marginalization; no to unemployment.
“The NPA is here, look at all the land occupied by the FOT, the FLT and all the companies, but we are not feeling their impacts.
“No jobs, no development. We cannot continue like this. If they don’t employ us, they will not operate here again.
“We are also asking for a separate local government out of Eleme,” the protesters said.
