By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Hundreds of aggrieved women from Okoroma Clan (Obama) in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Saturday staged a peaceful protest against Oando Plc, accusing the oil multinational of 55 years of neglect and lack of meaningful development in their communities.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough!” and “We Have Been Neglected and Suffering!”, the protesters accused Oando of failing to invest in human capacity development and infrastructure, despite decades of crude oil extraction in the area.
The women also expressed disappointment at the federal and state governments, alleging that authorities had failed to intervene or hold the oil company accountable.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, Madam Gloria Jonah, leader of the women, said they would continue to occupy the Agip jetty located in Okoroma waterways until Oando’s management meets their demands.
“The company has been operating in Okoroma Clan since 1975, yet the women have never benefitted. We are demanding inclusion of women in contract awards and the implementation of the 35 per cent women affirmation policy in empowerment and human capacity development,” Jonah said.
She added that the protesters deliberately excluded men from the demonstration, claiming that “men have betrayed the women in issues concerning contract implementation and empowerment.”
Jonah disclosed that the women had previously visited the Port Harcourt office of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and submitted petitions to the Bayelsa State Government, but no concrete action had been taken to address their grievances.
Armed with kitchen utensils and sleeping materials, the women vowed to sustain their occupation of the jetty until Oando’s management engages directly with the community to resolve their demands.
Efforts to obtain comments from Oando Plc were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
