South Daily
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Youths of Izomba clan in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday barricaded the premises of Seplat Oil Company in protest.
Clutching placards, the youths alleged that the oil company started operations in the area without reaching any agreement with the community.
According to Ezekwesiri Nwauwa, for over 40 years, oil companies in the area had continued to ravage the community.
Nwauwa, a legal practitioner, said that if the company did not stop operations and discuss with the youths of the area, the violence that erupted in the community in 2006 may repeat itself, he warned.
The youth leader claimed that residents of the community were being affected by cancer and visual impairment because of the company’s oil exploration activities.
He said, “For about 40 years, oil companies in our clan have continued to neglect and marginalise us. What they do is to instigate crisis in order to continue to ravage our land while our people suffer from diseases like cancer, blindness and our land is polluted.
“It is unfortunate that Seplat has commenced operations here and has refused to discuss with us.
“We demand that they shut down all operation until we reach a compromise. If they don’t do it, we will continue to occupy their premises.”
A man, Theaddus Nwachukwu, said that he was shot during the crisis in the community because he was the clan’s youth leader.
According to him, the oil companies had refused to compensate him or sponsor his medical treatments.
Nwachukwu said that the youths were ready to confront the company if it refused to dialogue with them.
