JUST IN: Azama, Inikorogha Communities shut down NGIC gate in Ekpan over prolonged power failure, alleged threat to life

There was tension on Wednesday as residents of Azama and Inikorogha communities in Warri South West LGA of Delta State shut down the entrance gates of the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, NGIC, No. 1 Odion Street, Ekpan, Delta State.

The protesters, comprising elders, women and youths, barricaded the gates over alleged prolonged power outage and failure to pay their indigenous contractor responsible for powering the communities.

Placards displayed by the protesters read: "NGIC Give Us Light," "Azama and Inikorogha, We're Tired of Darkness, Give Us Light," "NGIC Pay Our Contractor" and "We're Tired of Broken Promises."

The protesters chanted, "Nigeria Gas, we need light," as they vowed not to leave until their demands are met.

Speaking with press, the Chairman of Azama Federated Community, Mr. Layefa Ikpidi, said the communities have been without electricity for months because NGIC has refused to pay the contractor.

"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 alleged that security operatives fired gunshots to scare the protesters away.

"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, Azama community chief, Chief Mercy Gbenekama, said the contractor had been using his personal funds to buy diesel to power the communities but could no longer sustain it.

"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. They are shooting gun, that will not concern us. If they want to kill all of us, let them kill us here," she lamented.

On his part, the Chairman of Inikorogha Community, Warri South-West LGA, Capt. Williams Ubebe, accused NGIC of endless promises.

"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 stressed that the communities, as hosts where gas pipelines pass, should not be made to pay for light or live in darkness while gas is transported through their backyard.

"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.

However, the peaceful protest turned rowdy when some Ubeji and surrounding residents attacked the demonstrators, insisting that they could not protest in their area. During the altercation, some protesting women were allegedly beaten, while some men, including the Azama chairman, were also assaulted.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Azama, Mr. Layefa said he has reported the matter to the Department of State Services, DSS, for further handling.

As at the time of filing this report, NGIC management had not officially responded to the protest, while security operatives remained at the scene to maintain order.