Scores of aggrieved youths of Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta State under the auspices of Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing, on Monday, barricaded the ever-busy Emevor-Iyede-Ughelli Asaba expressway as they staged a peaceful protest over alleged marginalisation by the State Government.
Consequently, economic and official activities were disrupted along the area for several hours as most travelers got stranded, with other commuters compelled to make diversions through other routes as the protesters caused gridlock on the expressway.
The protesting youths carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We demand the release of the N10 million Social Security Fund’, ‘Isoko youths tell Okowa to respect Isoko tradition’, ‘Okowa failed to meet with Isoko Youths’, etc.
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Speaking with journalists, the President of the IDU, Youth wing, Comrade Obokpaino Fidelis, who led the protest said that “the protest is as a result of the marginalisation of the IDU, Youths wing, by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko land.”
According to him, the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land have been denying the host communities of their corporate social responsibilities and whenever they are approached for dialogue, the oil companies refused granting us the audience.
He said, “Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing was created 16 months ago, saddled with the responsibilities of handling all youths activities in Isoko nation.
“But since its creation till now, the State Government has resolved not to give IDU Youth Wing attention for interaction.
“We are being denied of our Corporate Social Responsibilities by the Multinationals Oil Companies operating in Isoko Land. And whenever we approached the Oil Companies for dialogue, they refused granting us audience.
“Even the Commissioner of Police, the Army, and DSS, including the State Government, they all denied having audience with us, which is the major reason why we barricaded the road today in a peaceful protest over the marginalisation being done to IDU Youths Wing by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies.
“We the Isoko Youths are being marginalised of the N10 million Social Security Fund which the State Government is giving to other ethnic nationalities across the State.
“Also, we are being marginalised of the Social Corporate Responsibilities which all Oil Companies exploring Oils in Isoko land is supposed to perform to our Youths, women, and men.
“That’s why we are here to express our displeasure to the State Government and all multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko that enough is enough. We, the Isoko Youths, say no to marginalisation.
“We are therefore demanding an interactive session with the State Government to present our demands to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. And also, with the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land.”
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who later met with the protesters on his way to Asaba, appealed to them to remain calm assuring that he would present their case to the State Governor, Dr. Okowa, for positive action.
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