Some aggrieved youths of Onne Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have barricaded the main entrance of Notore Petrochemical Industries with what looked like voodoo on a casket in protest against alleged neglect and failure of the multinational to reach a visible memorandum of understanding with the people.

The youths, numbering about 50 besieged the main gate of the operation base of the company as earlier as 5:am today preventing staff from gaining access into the premises and displaying various placards with inscriptions some of which read: “We need jobs,” “Onne needs Stable Electricity,” “We need our rights” amongst many others.

Onne is host to Notore Petrochemicals and many other multinationals but sadly has one of the highest numbers of unemployed in the state and also suffers perennial epileptic electric power supply; a situation that is has resulted in a scaring high crime rate and is driving many residents away from the industrial hub.

Some of the youths who spoke to the Holygist said Notore has refused to consider Onne youths for employment and connect the community to its Gas Turbine so Onne can enjoy stable electricity supply like other host communities in the state.

One of the protesters, Stanley Ngbere said: “What is happening here is the normal thing that happens in any community that has company. We have so many communities that have just one company yet they have light and they are living comfortably. Notore here has been in Onne for eleven (11) years and we cannot write anything about them. It is very bad. We didn’t come here to hurt anybody”.

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Kwanche things

Everything written here is so true. I'm an indigene of Onne and I reside there. These companies took over our lands (hundreds of thousands of acres) and have been operating without considering the plights of the people whose lands they've taken.

The peaceful protest commenced as a result of their neglect and failure to carry out their social responsibilities. The people of Onne are living from hand to mouth and in penury in the midst of plenty, hence the protest.

Oppression up Nd down