05 December 2012, Sweetcrude, Asaba – Angry youths in Abavo kingdom, Delta State, have disrupted activities of Pan Ocean Corporation operating in the area, after they accused the company of alleged attempt to relocate a flow station in OPL 275 to a non-oil producing community, called Owalidima.
The youths said the the company had remained adamant even after 56 host communities and the Delta State Government agreed that the flow station will be cited in Obiayima village in Abavo kingdom.
The protest was led by President of the youths, Mr. Christopher Okenye, who vowed that the youths would not allow the company operate peacefully in the area until the right thing was done.
Speaking during the protest, Okenye lamented that “all the stakeholders have agreed that this flow station will be cited in Obiayima but due to pressure from some selfish individuals, they want to foment trouble by telling Pan Ocean management to relocate the flow station to a community that does not have oil.
“We will resist this attempt and we will ensure that their activities will be made miserable in this community. We advise that they should implement the earlier agreement that the flow station be cited in Obiayima, that was what the 56 oil producing communities agreed and if that is not done, they should be ready for more trouble.”
The community liaison officer, Mr. Donald Eku, who addressed the youths, urged them to be peaceful in their demands and assured that their position paper will be forwarded to the management of Pan Ocean and Delta State Government through the Oil and Gas Ministry.
Eku, however appealed to Pan Ocean to always live up to its corporate social responsibilities in order to enjoy peaceful working relationship with the host communities.
