The relative post-amnesty peace in Warri, Delta State, was disrupted on Friday as some youths blew up oil pipelines at Otumara and Makaraba flow stations in Warri South West Local Government Area.
The action was in protest of the killing of three contractors at the multi-billion naira Chevron’s Escravos-Gas-To-Liquid (EGTL) plant by soldiers “over a minor issue.”
Saturday Tribune learnt that angry youths visited the flow stations between 4.00 a.m. and 5.00 a.m. and blew them up with explosives.
The attack reportedly met no resistance from operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), code-named Operation Restore Hope, stationed in the areas.
Security sources alleged that the soldiers, from the army and the navy, were at that time busy with businesses that were of personal economic interest to them.
It was gathered that the delivery line from Abiteye to Escravos was affected by the attack.
The Niger Delta Re-Orientation Project has condemned the action of the youth, saying that everything must be done to sustain the peace currently being enjoyed in Delta State.
Its national coordinator, Mr. Sheriff Mulade, in a statement, said the action did not represent the position of the majority of the youth of the area.
He advised the youth to shun taking laws into their own hands in the event of any misunderstanding, adding: “For every problem we encounter now, we should be able to explore dialogue in resolving such.”
Meanwhile, the state government has promised to take responsibility for the children of those killed during the Monday crisis at the EGTL plant at Escravos.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Okowa, disclosed during an on-the-spot assessment of Chevron at Escravos.
Okowa also promised that the government would get to the root of the matter.
He commended the management of Chevron for effectively bringing the matter under control and assured that the government would continue to provide enabling environment for local and foreign investors.
0 comments:
Post a Comment