Some youths and women from Nembe communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Friday shut down two flow stations belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for about two hours.
The two facilities, located along the Nembe creek 1 and 2 and said to produce over 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day, were invaded by the agitated youths and switched off at about 10am.
The protesting Nembe indigenes, armed with placards with various inscriptions portraying their grievances, accused the SPDC of neglect and disregard for a signed Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
They alleged that despite the peaceful disposition of the Nembe people to the company’s exploration activities for over 50 years, the SPDC, according to them, has failed to provide the promised electricity, water and good health facilities for the community.
The protesters were, however, dispersed with the intervention of security personnel and after officials of the SPDC met with some of the community leaders.
They agreed to meet again next week at the SPDC office in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt to iron out the areas of disagreement.
