Angry Youths Vacate East-West Road After Seven Days Of Protest

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Aggrieved youths, who shut down the deplorable Eleme section of the East-West road, on Sunday dismantled their barricades after seven days of protest.

Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilomate Ollor, called off the civil action while addressing the protesters in company of RCC officials, the contracting firm for the road.

He said: “Right from Monday, 26th July till today, August 1st, our youths have been on this road protesting and calling on the attention of the federal government to come to their aid considering the deplorable state of this road.

“Many persons have died. Business owners have lost goods and resources, containers and trucks have collapsed.

“Those who have businesses in the Onne oil and gas zone, the refinery and so lose so much man hour on the road. Investment is threatened in this local government which is supposed to be an investment destination.

“So, the action pleased all those who are investors in our area. We have been here for the past seven days. The federal government sent the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta who came on Monday to address our leaders. But our leaders were not satisfied with the presentation he made.

“Three days ago, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs (Senator Godswill Akpabio) phoned me, through the Permanent Secretary and told me that he has gotten approval of N2.5billion for work to commence on this road. N2.5billion to be given to RCC (the contracting firm). “

But he said the people insisted on the demonstration to draw the attention to of the government to their pains.

He said: “We waited for the contractors who did not arrive until yesterday (Saturday). Now we have come here to ensure that they have actually mobilised.

“We have said that this was supposed to be a warning strike. We do not intend to come back to this road on this same issue.

“If the processes that have brought us out are not fulfilled within reasonable time, then we will have no reason than to come back to this road.

“The place belongs to us and the Eleme people have suffered so much in the midst of plenty.

“However, today, we have seen the equipment behind us. RCC has told me that they have been asked to commence work. Payment is ongoing.

“Today been the first of August, 2021, as the executive chairman and chief security of this local government, I hereby declare this protest suspended.

“We want to be sure that the project will be carried out to its completion. This is not the time when anyone will play gimmick with people of this local government,” the council chairman stated.

He commended Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for maintaining peace and security across the state.

– The Nation