Kokodiagbene community, Gbaramatu in Warri South-West Local Government Area, today issued Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL to connect electricity to the Community.
The community handed down the ultimatum to Chevron when some of the community members, comprising men, women and youths stormed Chevron’s facility at Utunana in a peaceful protest, carrying placards with inscriptions such as ” pay our royalty”, ” respect our peaceful disposition Chevron” ” No light for Kokodiagbene, No oil for Chevron”, ” don’t intimidate us with security,” ” Chevron give us light.”
Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade warned that the community will occupy Chevron’s facility should it fail to heed to her demands by connecting them to its Independent Power Plant.
Mulade noted that the community which is just a stone throw to the Chevron has been in perp
etual darkness for the past nineteen years while the multinational company supplies steady light to other neighbouring communities.
” We are giving Chevron two weeks to connect electricity to Kokodiagbene community. If Chevron fails, we will occupy this flow-station and no amount of security will prevent us. Take this message to your office and talk to your superintendent. Don’t take us for granted.”
“Chevron has not executed any tangible project in Kokodiagbe community since 1972. Since their presence here, our environment has been polluted and our occupation has been eroded and bastardized since 19 years ago.”
Mulade appealed to the company, stressing that,” Chevron has no excuse to give us. We have been using our manpower to clear where the cables will pass as part of our community efforts to assist ourselves. If Chevron does not do it, we will buy our cable and occupy this facility till thy kingdom come.”
An elder of Kokodiagbene community, Mr. Alfred Oru, also accused Chevron of deceiving the community for the past nineteen years even though they have requested the multinational to give them light, ” Chevron has been giving other people light but they have been deceiving us. We need light.”
Mr. Isaac Emone who also spoke with DAILY POST said,” we want Chevron to approve this light.”
A woman leader in the community, Madam Helen Timiyan said, ” We are suffering. We need light in our village”.
Progress Okoromadu, a girl who also spoke for the community said,” we want our light.”
Chevron’s Flow-station Security Officer simply identified as Musa who addressed the peaceful protesters promised to convey their complaints to his superiors for positive actions.
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