By Emma Arubi
WARRI – PROTESTING members of Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, shut down operations at Chevron Nigeria Limited’s multi-billion naira Escravos-Gas-to-Liquid project site over alleged non-implementation of agreements reached between the leadership of oil-rich communities in Ugborodo and the company.

The protesting communities’ members accused Chevron of not providing employment opportunities for thousands of qualified Itsekiri youth, lack of electricity, potable water, good roads network and bridges, and the refusal to construct a befitting shore protection for the communities that are at the verge of being submerged by ocean surge.

Speaking to Vanguard, Mr. Isaac Botosan and Mr. Julius Atete, community and youth leaders respectively, said that Chevron declined to relocate their training centre from Ogere to their operational base in Delta State, despite provision of all the facilities the company demanded.

They said Chevron was deliberately shortchanging Niger Deltans, especially in the areas of employment and training, while filling juicy vacancies with people from other parts of the country.

Staff of some servicing companies at the Chevron Tank Farm and the EGTL project site, who spoke to Vanguard on conditions of anonymity, confirmed that operations at Escravos, including flight operations, had been grounded, as they were all requested to remain at their various rooms.

Chevron sources told Vanguard that they were in consultation with Ugborodo leaders.