By Akpokona Omafuaire
THE Batan community of Diobiri Kingdom in Warri South West Council of Delta State, has told the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to live up to its social corporate responsibility of developing its host communities or leave the land so that they can fish unhindered.

The call was made in Batan yesterday during a peaceful protest against the alleged neglect of the community for over sixteen years now.

According to Mr. Victor Edoukumo, Diobiri Youth Public Relation Officer “SPDC has been operating in our land since 1960 but the community is still wallowing in unprecedented poverty, there is no employment of youths, no evidence of Shell presence here, we have been denied our right.”

Edoukumo said that “before 1995, we were relating with SPDC as host community but since then everything changed. There are no social amenities to show for their many years, go to their yards it is a small London but our community is a shackle, they made so many promises that they will develop the area, they will reclaim land for us to relocate to, they will construct jetty, school, houses, market, hospital, public toilet, transportation means and skill acquisition centre but till date none has been done.”

Mr. George Kpadowei, a community leader added “we are dying, the government should come to our aid, the activities of SPDC have affected our fishing yet we do not benefit, they should develop the place or leave so that we can live our normal life. Our water is polluted, they have spoilt our creeks, they should respond immediately or leave us in peace.”

Some of the placards read “SPDC develop our land” ”we are peaceful people” “since 1963, no employment, no development” “Shell give us our right” “SPDC is killing us, leave our land.”