The uneasy co-
operation that had existed between Egi people in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State and French oil giant, Total E&P has blown as both Obagi and Obili operational sites of the company have been shut down.
Thousands of youths and women on Monday carried out a peaceful demonstration by barricading entrances of the sites with canopies and chairs.
The protest which was sustained up till yesterday had been very peaceful until about 8pm, when a detachment of policemen from Ahoada Area Command tried to disperse the protesters with canisters of tear-gas.
The protesters were demanding among other things the implementation of an MoU reached with the firm in 2012, and 2014, as well as the recall of indigenes of the area employed as contract staff who were sacked because the workers demanded an improved welfare.
In a press statement, the Egi People Assembly, (EPA) an umbrella organisation for Egi clan accused one Charles Edward Anfray, an expatriate worker of using the police to scuttle the genuine demands of the people.
The statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the organisation, Dr. Ephraim Eke, said “the people cannot be intimidated because we are demanding our rights.”
“Egi people vehemently condemned this unwarranted action which is aimed at intimidating the people by using security agents.”
The President-General, Chief Oris Onyiri also explained several efforts made by the body to dialogue with management of Total without success.
He said both the Inspector-General of Police and the State Police Command were aware of the peaceful protest saying” it will continue until all the people’s grievances are addressed.”
All the calls made to Charles Organ, the Head Public Affairs department over the issue were not answered, but a senior police officer who led the team said, normalcy had been restored.
