IYC threatens to disrupt oil companies’ operations over violation of local content law
The Ijaw Youths Council Worldwide on Wednesday threatened to disrupt the exploration activities of some multinational oil companies (IOCs) in the Eastern and Western regions of operations over the alleged violation of local content laws.
They are also accused the IOCs of deprivation of host communities and local contractors in terms of gas logistics contracts, businesses and placements by the companies operating in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.
The National Spokesman of the group, Ebilade Ekerefe, who stated this in a media session in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the Nigerian petroleum industry sector has largely been dominated by foreign investors since the discovery of oil in 1956.
He regretted that despite the introduction of the Local Content Act of 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act, recently, grievances are still rife as regards the involvement of local contractors from the Niger Delta region.
The group expressed unhappiness over the alleged deprivation of some indigenous contractors by IOCs operating in their communities and issued stern warning to the oil multinationals, threatening to disrupt oil operations if the alleged violations are not dealt with immediately.
The Federal Government and other relevant agencies have also been asked to address the situation to avoid the breakdown of law and order while vowing to use the legitimate rules of engagement to thrive home their demands.
