By Perez Brisibe

UGHELLI—Scores of protesters, Monday morning, grounded commercial activities at the market branch of ECOBANK, Ughelli, Delta State, over payment of compensation on their shops which were engulfed by fire from the generating set of the bank on March 3.

The protesters, with placards bearing various inscriptions such as “Pay us our money,” “Enough is enough” and “Ecobank, stop oppressing us,” stormed the bank as early as 8a.m., preventing customers and staff of the bank from entering.

The protest lasted for hours before policemen from Ughelli Police Station dispersed the protesters, with a promise by the management of the bank to look into their plight.

A shop owner, who gave his name as Sunny, said: “After the fire, the bank promised to get back to us.

“However, till date, we are yet to hear from them as they keep tossing us to and fro like little children.”

Recounting their losses, the protesters noted that they lost property worth millions of naira to the fire, adding that they were currently financially constrained as a result of the losses.

Contacted, Branch Manager of the bank directed all comments to the bank’s head office in Lagos.

The manager said: “I am not in the position to speak to the press on this issue. You can reach the Brand Communication in Lagos for comments.”