Nigerian Protesters Block Chevron Depot

Nigerian youths demanding jobs at Chevron blocked the company’s Escravos oil depot yesterday. The leader of the protest, Collins Edema, told Reuters that Chevron had promised the youths jobs, and promised the local communities new accommodations after houses next to the depot were “destroyed” to make space for its operations.

“Our protest will continue until Chevron listens to our demands. We at Ugborodo are urging other Itsekiri communities to follow suit and shut down Chevron activities in our communities,” the protest leader said, as quoted by Reuters.

Chevron, for its part, said in a statement that indeed a group of local people had gathered at the gates of its Escravos depot, but did not provide any details as to whether the regular operation of the facility was affected in any way. The company added that it is negotiating with the protesters and has involved the regional government as well.

Chevron has been on the receiving end of multiple Nigeria attacks, most notably at the hand of the Niger Delta Avengers, and have been forced, along with others, to evacuate Nigerian personnel as recently as last month.

The Niger Delta has been making world headlines for several months now, mostly with violent attacks on oil production and infrastructure, carried out by various militant groups claiming to be protecting the rights of the local communities to get a bigger portion of oil revenues and a cleaner environment.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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