By Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

WARRI – PROTESTING  Ugborodo villagers in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, lifted their 12-day siege to  Chevron Nigeria Limited  at the weekend.

President of Ugborodo Youths, Ofem Nana, confirmed the development to Sunday Vanguard on phone, Saturday, saying:    “Yes, the protesters have evacuated the facility following an appeal and promise made by the governor. The protesters left  on Friday morning  precisely and we have confidence in the governor that he would do something on our demands.”

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who first hinted of the development at the one-day Stakeholders Consultative  meeting of Niger Delta Coastal States at Effurun, near Warri, Friday, said: “The issue is that there are more of issues within factions in the community.    But I thank God too that the leaders have listened to the voice of reason and that they (protesters) have moved out of the Chevron facility this morning (Friday).”

“I believe that sometimes, we can make our point but we cannot make it in that direction because when we continue to be on the bad side of the news every time, we are asking investors all over the world to stay away from us. We can make our agitation in the right direction.  I believe that we can continue to mount pressure on things to be done rightly, but first, we must settle within ourselves and communities,” he asserted.

On the need for oil companies to relocate their head offices to areas of operation, the governor said: “It is important that the headquarters of oil companies are stationed in the areas they operate, and that is something that we should ask for.”

Ugborodo youth leader also added that “the management of Chevron has also called us for a meeting on Thursday at their Warri office.”