Delta Communities’ Youths protest Oil Coys alleged non-payment of salaries

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

No fewer than 2000 youths of Okpaile, Osa families communities in Ozoro Kingdom, Delta State at the weekend protested against alleged non-payment of salaries by Oil Companies operating in the area.
On the heel of the development six of the youths were alleged to have been arrested by the joint military task force operating in the area for obstructing vehicular movement and economic activities but the Chairman of the youth in a swift reaction, Mr. Fidelis Avoura explained that the reason for the protest was informed by misleading communication created by the various contracting agencies between the Akpeile youths and the Access Management Team (AMT), stressing that the company had employed the youths in various aspects of the jobs they are currently empowered to do.
He said that the Access controlled workers were mobilized in August 2017 to site but were not given induction to resume duties immediately when the trucking duty workers started and since then the Youths have not been paid their salaries as the contractors allegedly brought false act of not having a written contract between the youths and the oil company.
According to the Youth Chairman, it was also alleged that the leaders and the operators started work in September 2017 but had not received any payment before the commencement of the contract with the company had a negotiation with the youths leading to the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) that spelt out the amount they would be paid as N150,000 monthly and weekly.
But an official of the oil company who did not want his name in the print dispelled the claims of the youths chairman as untrue saying that the youths took laws into their hands against the MOU signed.