Residents of Ogu/Bolo in Rivers State took action by sealing the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas premises in Port Harcourt. This protest comes in response to the tragic death of a fisherman on the waterways.
Under the banner of Concerned Ogu/Bolo residents, the protesters, along with the deceased fisherman’s mother, claimed that the company’s vessel caused the sinking of fishing boats and destruction of nets along the NLNG sea routes. This led to the untimely demise of 27-year-old Precious Imabibo while he was fishing on the river on January 20, 2024.
The company’s staff had to retreat due to the presence of angry youths who sealed the entrance during the protest, preventing access to the company’s gate.
Travellers destined for Bonny Island through the NLNG jetty found themselves stranded due to the ongoing two-day protest.
According to the protesters, the company’s actions led to the destruction of fishing equipment and ultimately resulted in the loss of a fisherman’s life. The leader of the protest, Samuel Diamond, addressed the media at the scene, expressing disappointment in the company’s lack of response and efforts to address the losses suffered.
Diamond claimed that all attempts at dialogue with the company had been futile, emphasizing the community’s demand for a proper agreement on the safe operation of company vessels in the sea routes to prevent such incidents in the future.
He stated, “We have exhausted all avenues for communication with NLNG and will not reopen the gate until our grievances are addressed. We demand a proper agreement to ensure the safety of our community.”
Blessing Imabibo, the mother of the deceased fisherman, expressed her frustration over the company’s silence since the incident occurred eight months ago. She shared the emotional toll the loss of her son has taken on her, highlighting the lack of support from the company.
The company, represented by General Manager Andy Odeh, acknowledged the protest and reassured that efforts were underway to resolve the issue through engagement with relevant stakeholders. NLNG emphasized its commitment to the safety and well-being of its staff and host communities while urging for calm pending the outcome of the police investigation.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed ongoing investigations into the matter. She mentioned that both the deceased’s family and the company were invited for a meeting to discuss the issue as part of the investigation process.