In spite of the COVID-19 lockdown, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) is allegedly planning to relocate to Lagos. The alleged relocation plan has however triggered protest by youths under the aegis of Rivers Youth State Federation (RSYF).
Speaking to a section of the media while observing strict social distancing and putting on nose masks, the youths staged the protest at the Logistics Base of SNEPCO, over the weekend over alleged plan by the company to relocate its business to Lagos. The RSYF National President, Comrade Saviour Patrick stated that the fresh plan by SNEPCO to move out of Rivers State will lead to significant job loss in Rivers State and as well render many youths idle.
Patrick, who led the peaceful protest, in a letter signed by his humble self and the RSYF Secretary-General, Bishop Abhili Tam, states: “Our attention has been drawn to your recent plans of relocating to Lagos State of Nigeria from Onne Port in spite COVID-19 lockdown, without informing your host community, in a clear term your reasons for the planned move.” They delivered the appeal letter to SNEPCO during the protest.
He recounted that in September 2018, a similar protest was staged by RSYF and the Onne Youth Council (OYC), saying: “Your company launched the same bid which we vehemently protested in our great numbers and which took the intervention of the Director of DSS Rivers State Command and HRM Ateke Michael Tom to avert.
“We wish to refresh your memory that after the intervention by these two aforementioned authorities, certain resolutions were made at the Conference Hall of the DSS Rivers State Command in the presence of your company representatives, DSS Director, NPA representatives, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) representatives, among others in which we suspended our protest.
“We now wonder why you are intentionally violating all the resolutions made during that meeting which led us to halt our protest and now you are planning to move secretly,” he added.
He emphasised that the recent plan to move from Rivers State by SNEPCO is worrisome, especially this period that no one expects such plan from them, explaining further that for Rivers people and the government to know SNEPCO plans at this critical time, is a through a peaceful social distancing protest that they had embarked on.
“We therefore, in strong terms, condemn the inhuman and inconsiderate move by SNEPCO to leave Onne Port, Rivers State at this critical time when we are all working to combat a common enemy of human existence, COVID-19.
“We wish to appeal that you reverse your decision of leaving the shores of Rivers State, as such attempt will be protested by Rivers youths and you shall be held responsible if there be any breakdown of law and order, which may be the resultant effect of your planned relocation to Lagos State.
“However, if you think that your planned relocation is logical, subject it therefore to dialectical examination. In other words, there should be a roundtable discussion to x-ray your reasons for relocating to Lagos State without due consultation with your host communities and the State Government.
“Any attempt to violate the content of this letter shall also have a commensurate reciprocity from the Rivers State Youth Federation cum COVID-19 Presidential order on social distancing,” he stressed.
The protesting youths, who claimed that as much as 5,000 direct and indirect jobs could be lost in Rivers State to the planned relocation, carried various placards at the SNEPCO logistics base located within the Onne Port at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.
Some of the placards read: “SNEPCO do you hate us this much?”, Rivers State is more peaceful than Lagos. Why leave?”, “SNEPCO why?” “SNEPCO please don’t make life tougher for Rivers youths,” President Mohammadu Buhari, please help us to decongest Lagos Port so over 5,000 Rivers youths are not left jobless,” among others.
The protesters further appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Rivers State Govermor, Chief Nyesom Wike to prevail on SNEPCO to stop the planned relocation.
