By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Aggrieved youths under the umbrella of Isoko Development Union (IDU), (Youth Wing), on Monday, barricaded the busy Emevor-Iyede-Ughelli Asaba Expressway over refusal by the Delta State government and multinational oil companies to pay them N10 million security fund.
The youths took to the highway early morning on Monday and caused a heavy gridlock for several hours, disrupting economic and official activities.
Several travellers were left stranded while commuters hurrying to their offices made meander their ways through other routes.
Armed with placards with different inscriptions such as “Okowa failed to meet with Isoko Youths,” “We demand the release of the 10 million Social Security Fund Isoko Youths,” and “Isoko Youths Tell Okowa to Respect Isoko Tradition,” among others, the youths said the state government and oil companies must give a listening ear to their demands.
President of the IDU Youth wing, Comrade Obokpaino Fidelis, who led the protest, stressed that the protest was as a result of the marginalisation of the youth body by the Delta State government and the multinationals oil companies operating in Isoko land.
“Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing, created 16 months ago, was 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.
“We the Isoko youths are being marginalised of the 10 million naira 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 crude oil in Isoko land suppose to perform for our youths, women and men.
“That’s why we are here to express our displeasure that enough is enough.
“We are demanding an interactive session with the state government to present our demands to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and multinationals oil companies operating in Isoko land.”
Other executive members of the Isoko youths, Comrade David Odafe Igbe and Isoje Esther, both
Secretary-General and Women Leader of IDU Youth Wing corroborated the claim of the president.
Meanwhile, Providence played out when the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who was returning to Asaba from Warri, ran into the protesters.
The governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) appealed for calm and promised to present their demands to the state governor.
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