Aggrieved youths from oil producing Ogulagha community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have reportedly shut down Forcados Terminal belonging to Shell Petroleum and Development Company (SPDC).
The Forcados terminal was shut down to production early Friday, September 3.
This is coming as heavy protest is currently rocking the community over what they described as nonchalant attitude of SPDC towards their plights.
President of youths in Ogulagha community, Comrade ThankGod Iyoragba, who confirmed the development to one of correspondent, disclosed that the main entrance to the Forcados Terminal has been blocked and locked by aggrieved youths.
“Yes the youths took over the terminal this morning. The main entrance has been blocked to any movement, no one can go into the Terminal nor come out and we will remain here until our demands are meant, he said.
When asked the reason for the action and protest, Iyoragba alleged that SPDC had been insensitive to their plight, particularly over issues of some community workers allegedly sacked in 2020 and payment of outstanding salaries owed the said workers.
He said that SPDC has been evading meeting with Ogulagha community Executives to table the vex issues concerning deprivation of community workers whom he said were purportedly kicked out under the guise of COVID-19 pandemic.
All efforts to get comment from SPDC’s spokesman, Michael adande proved abortive as he neither respond to text message nor his phone number disconnected as at press time.
Chevron owned Makaraba-Utonana-Abiteye oil field was shut down to production in a similar circumstances some months ago after the locals protested over oil sheen on the water from its Assets in Abiteye, Makaraba and Utonana fields in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-west local Government Area of Delta State.