Youths threaten to shut down oil operations

Youths of Mbo in Akwa Ibom State have threatened to shut down oil operations over alleged flouting of local content guideline of the Nigerian Content Act.

They made the threat at the weekend during a meeting held at Enwang.

The National Youth President of Mbo Local Government, Mr Edward Abia Moses, alleged that Oriental Energy Resources had refused to implement the Local Content Act relating to employment, contract award, among others.

He said the company had not lived up to its responsibility despite reaching some resolutions to implement the demands of youths within two weeks.

He called on the company to honour the resolution by complying with all that was contained therein, warning that failure to do so would leave the youths with no other option but to disrupt oil operations of the company in the area.

He said the resolution was signed in the office of the Nigerian Content and Monitoring Board, adding that the Ministry of Environment and the paramount ruler of the area were aware of the arrangement.

Youths of Mbo staged a peaceful protest against failure of the company to comply with the guideline, which led to the meeting with the company.