By Onyekachukwu Utebor, Warri
Residents of Azama and Inikorogha communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday barricaded the entrance gate of the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) in Ekpan, protesting a prolonged power outage and alleged non-payment of their indigenous electricity contractor.
The protesters, comprising elders, women and youths, blocked the entrance to the company’s facility at No. 1 Odion Street, Ekpan, demanding that NGIC settle the outstanding payments owed to the contractor responsible for supplying electricity to the communities.
The residents, who carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “NGIC Give Us Light,” “Pay Our Contractor” and “We’re Tired of Broken Promises,” chanted, “Nigeria Gas, we need light,” insisting that they would not leave until their demands were addressed.
Speaking during the protest, Chairman of Azama Federated Community, Mr Layefa Ikpidi, said the communities had been without electricity for months because the company allegedly failed to pay their indigenous contractor for more than a year.
“The reason why we are here is because of our light. Since they gave this light to our indigenous contractor, it is more than a year, no payment, nothing. We have written a lot of letters, nothing has been done. That is why we are here. If they will not respond to us, we are not going anywhere,” Ikpidi said.
He further alleged that security operatives fired gunshots in an attempt to disperse the protesters, adding that the communities would not be intimidated into abandoning their demands.
“They want to make us scared, to run away so they can do whatever they want to do. We, the people of Azama community, we are not afraid of them. Even if they like, let them shoot. We are here for our rights,” he added.
Also speaking, an Azama community chief, Chief Mercy Gbenekama, said the contractor had been using his personal funds to purchase diesel to sustain electricity supply to the communities but could no longer afford to continue.
“Since over one year they never pay our contractor. The contractor uses his own money to buy diesel and give us light. Now he says he doesn’t have money again. We don’t have light for almost six months. We did not come to fight. Let them pay our contractor and give us light,” she said.
Gbenekama also alleged that gunshots were fired during the protest, expressing the community’s determination to continue demanding electricity despite the reported security concerns.
Chairman of Inikorogha Community, Warri South-West LGA, Capt. Williams Ubebe, similarly accused NGIC of repeatedly promising to pay the contractor without fulfilling its commitment.
“This contractor has not been paid for over a year. So he has no money to supply diesel. We have no light for almost six months. When we tell them, they say they are coming, they will pay him, and they didn’t pay. It is promise and fail always,” Ubebe said.
He argued that the host communities should not be left without electricity while gas pipelines pass through their areas, appealing to the Delta State Government to intervene.
“They are drawing gas at the backyard of our communities but we don’t have light. This is their duty. I am appealing to our governor to talk to these people, pay the contractor and give us light. If they refuse to respond, something will happen,” he warned.
The initially peaceful protest reportedly turned rowdy when some residents of Ubeji and surrounding areas confronted the demonstrators, arguing that they could not stage the protest in their area.
During the confrontation, some protesting women were allegedly beaten, while several men, including the Azama community chairman, were also reportedly assaulted.
Ikpidi said he had reported the incident to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation and necessary action.
As of the time of filing this report, NGIC management had not issued an official response to the protesters’ allegations, while security operatives remained at the scene to maintain order.
About the Author
