Rivers: Physically Challenged Youths Barricade Shell Office In Port Harcourt, Say ‘They Neglected Us’

Some unemployed physically challenged youths of Rumukwrushi Community where Shell Residential Area is situated in Port Harcourt have barricaded the gate of the oil company for allegedly not doing anything to help them.

THE WHISTLER learnt that the protest was born out of the oil company’s alleged non-compliance to the agreement about compensating the disabled in the community since they could not be offered employment in the company.

A leader of the protesting youths, Wisdom Opunneuu, told THE WHISTLER that they were protesting for better welfare in view of their disability.

He said: “We are protesting over negligence by this shell company. The fact that we, as their landlord, can’t not walk nor drive doesn’t give them the right to maltreat and deny us our rights and benefits.

“Most of our brothers who are blessed to be fit are working with them. But those of us who cannot work with them because our disability should also be taken care of.

“We have done our best to remind them of neglecting their disabled brothers and sisters.

“We are not leaving this gate until they resolve this lingering issue and settle us. “

Gabriel Tammy, one of the protesters, said: “We have sent series of letters, reminders but they have given deaf ears to our plea. That is the height of negligence.

“This is our right we are seeking for. They cannot be holding back our supposed funds and expect us, who can’t do anything to put food on our table, to keep quiet.

We will not retire until the management comes out and settle this matter.

“It’s been almost 8 months now since the oil company last paid us the token we agreed upon before we gave our lands to them.
We seek justice and fair treatment at least.
They should come out and address us.

“Just yesterday, our governor gave Sokoto State Government a whopping sum of N500million to support the affected victims of the fire outbreak while we the disabled in the state and landlords of the oil company are begging for our right”.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, the Hon. Sunny Ejekwu, had arrived the scene to intervene and calm the protesting youths who are not giving him listening ears.