Delta Community Shuts down Agip Station over Breach of GMoU

Delta Community Shuts down Agip Station over  Breach of GMoU

Oil and gas facilities of Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), within Tuomo community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, were yesterday shut down by protesting members of the Tuomo host community alleging breach of General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).

The placard-carrying protesters comprising men and women from the community stormed the facilities in the early hours of the day chanting battle songs and calling on the management of NAOC to do the needful.

They also accused the oil firm of reneging on its agreement to provide basic necessities for the community.

Their placards carried inscriptions such as “Tuomo community will not allow Agip to work until we get our light,” “We say no to Agip, enough is enough,” “Agip, provide our light, no light, no work,” “Bye-bye to Agip,” etc.

Speaking with journalists, the leader of the protesters and Chairman of Tuomo community, Mr Tomke Binebai, accused Agip of failure to fulfil its previous promises to the community since 2009.

He said: “Agip has been promising and deceiving us since their operation here in 2009. They promised to provide light for Tuomo as their host. If you go to their station, there’s a steady electricity supply but their host community is in total darkness.

“Tuomo people have taken their decision against Agip and we’ll remain here until our demands are met.

“Enough of this insult and embarrassment. We have taken our decision and if they really want to operate here, let them light up Tuomo, pay the surveillance chances, employ our youths and adhere to the GMoU.

“It is ridiculous to say that since inception, Agip has not employed a single youth in this community. They have been dribbling us. Now, we have decided to stay in our own land which Agip is occupying.”

Effort by our correspondent to reach the management of Agip for reaction over the incident was futile as of the time of filing this report.

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